Yorkshire Day celebrations are underway across the Bradford district today.

The Deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Joanne Dodds, got the city centre celebrations underway.

She read the Yorkshire Day declaration on the steps of City Hall just before its bells rang out at noon, playing the Yorkshire anthem On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at.

Meanwhile, the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Khadim Hussain, is representing the district at the county's official celebrations in Skipton.

The city centre celebrations were due to be followed by a lunch in City Hall of Yorkshire puddings with onion gravy and roast beef, followed by rhubarb and ice cream for dessert - washed down with Yorkshire Tea.

In Ilkley, Chris Richards was taking part in his last Yorkshire Day as the town's crier, reading the Yorkshire Day declaration on the town hall steps.

In Skipton, over 200 civic dignitaries arrived in town, first by sailing up the Leeds-Liverpool canal from Snaygill and then marching up the historic High Street for a service in Holy Trinity Church conducted by the Bishop of Bradford the Right Rev Nick Baines.
Over 50 Lord Mayors, Mayors and Council Chairman took part in the parade including the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Khadim Hussain and representatives of Skipton’s  French twin-town, Erquinghem-Lys.


It was led by the Heavy Cavalry and Cambrai Band, part of the Army Music Corps based at Catterick Garrison.
The spectacle marked the start of four days of celebrations which will culminate in a Yorkshire-themed fun-day on the High Street on Sunday.


Skipton Town Council chief officer, Dave Parker,  said: “Skipton can always punch above its weight.”