Captain Sir Tom Moore secures MY Y membership

Welcome to Yorkshire have launched a new personal membership scheme available to people across the world that have a connection to the county.

The My Y membership scheme is free but a tree will be planted in Yorkshire for every paid annual membership (£20).

Offering a little piece of Yorkshire to everyone that signs up will unite millions of people who love Yorkshire across the world and by doing so support the creation of new woodlands across the county.

Trees are vital for people’s health and well-being, for wildlife and in the fight against climate change.

Welcome to Yorkshire are proud to announce that their first honorary personal members include Mirfield’s own multi-award-winning actor Sir Patrick Stewart.

Sir Patrick said: “I was born in Yorkshire 80 years ago and for the first 17 years of my life Yorkshire gave me the inspiration, access to hard work and people to meet that led me to choosing the career of an actor.

“For 20 years I lived in a house on a hilltop in Wharfedale and the joy, the tranquillity, the beauty of this place has never left me even though I have left the house.

“I am so proud to be having a tree named after me on behalf of Welcome to Yorkshire.

“Thank you! AND remember, you can always tell a Yorkshireman, but you can’t tell him much.”

In addition, Captain Sir Tom Moore and Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen have both expressed their delight at also having trees planted for them as honorary personal members.

Watch out for Welcome to Yorkshire celebrity messages on Yorkshire Day on Twitter @Welcome2Yorks from Sir Patrick Stewart, Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen, Alan Titchmarsh and Captain Sir Tom Moore.

Take a leaf out of their book and find out more about becoming a My Y member at yorkshire.com/becomeamember

James Mason, Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive

James Mason, Welcome to Yorkshire Chief Executive, said: “This is a fabulous membership scheme to connect the diaspora of people across the world who have Yorkshire roots or just a love of Yorkshire.

“They may have been born in the county, live/lived here or perhaps have worked here or have family/friends in the county.

“Members will benefit from a host of offers and entry into prize competitions, Yorkshire’s newsletters, online inspiration and each paying member will have a tree planted in the beautiful county of Yorkshire.

“There will be the option to buy further trees for loved ones to celebrate birthdays or as a novel way to remember loved ones.”

Welcome to Yorkshire will be planting trees with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust at a North Yorkshire site, and at sites to be announced in East, South and West Yorkshire.