Yorkshire day celebration praised

Robert Rodgers who will read the decoration

The organiser of Saddleworth’s tradition Yorkshire Day event praised the community for supporting the unique annual celebration.

Brenda Cockayne, president of the Saddleworth White Rose Society, said, “It’s part of our tradition and we’ve received tremendous support from Saddleworth Parish Council, businesses and locals.

“I’m delighted and proud so many folk have shown an interest and offered sincere help,” she said.

The celebration, centred in a Uppermill, begins at 10 am on Sunday, July 28 and will include a march by a local band and a country fair with a variety of stalls, on King George V playing fields, Uppermill.

And at precisely 11.44 am Denshaw-born Robert Rodgers will read The Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity to confirm the 1,144 years since the county was formed.

 The unique open-air ceremony will take place at the museum gardens at the statue of famed local poet Ammon Wrigley.

The declaration says: “Yorkshire is three Ridings and the city of York... the address of all these places in all these Ridings is Yorkshire.

“That all persons born therein or resident therein and loyal to the ridings are Yorkshire men and Yorkshire women.”

And it adds sombrely: “Any person or corporate body that ignores or denies the aforementioned shall forfeit all claims to Yorkshire status.”

Cllr Jamie Curley, chairman of Saddleworth Parish Council, who will lay a wreath on Ammon Wrigley’s statue, said:, “It’s another bright point in the year for our community and I’m looking forward to laying the wreath.

“After all, as Ammon wrote: ‘Home to old Saddleworth, what more do I need than the hills I love and the men they breed. And I’ll roam no more for ne’er have I found more kinder hearts or a dearer ground."

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