WEST Craven's rightful place within Yorkshire's historic boundaries was reaffirmed loud and clear on Friday.

August 1 was Yorkshire Day and campaigners for the restoration of the county's pre-1974 borders were determined not to let it pass unnoticed.

As in previous years, the official Declaration of Allegiance to Yorkshire was bellowed across Barnoldswick Town Square by town crier Kevin Griffiths.

The ceremony was timed for 11.25am, as it marked 1,125 years since Yorkshire's historic boundaries were first established - far outweighing the 29 years since the unpopular changes imposed in 1974. They saw West Craven and Bowland annexed to Lancashire as part of a politically-driven review of local government.

It created anger and bitterness among the area's Yorkshire folk and campaigners stress it was only the administrative borders, not the historic ones, that were altered.

To reinforce that fact, they also visited three points where roads cross the historic boundaries.

At each venue the town crier performed a cry and 12-year-old Lucy Broughton played a verse of the unofficial Yorkshire anthem, "Ilka Moor Baht 'At". Lucy also played on the Town Square, where she was joined by her grandfather, John Broughton, the chairman of Barnoldswick Town Council.

Also there was Granada TV weatherman Fred Talbot, who was filming a piece for the Lancashire television station's news. Sadly most West Craven viewers would not have seen it, as they get their TV signals from Yorkshire, together with their water and electricity!

Geoff Hoyle, chairman of Unite Craven, the group campaigning to reverse the boundary changes of 1974, said Friday's events went well: "I'd like to thank everyone who came out to support us and especially our town crier and cornet player, who did a wonderful job," he added.

He stressed there was no animosity towards Lancashire and pointed out that there was another organisation, the Friends of Real Lancashire, which was also campaigning to see the historic border restored and had worked closely with Unite Craven.

o Pro-Yorkshire campaigners have been given fresh hope by a new local government review in connection with the Government's plans for "regional assemblies". The Government has directed the Boundary Committee to carry out a review of the current local government structure in Lancashire, Cheshire and Cumbria and to come up with options for change. Those options could then form part of a referendum on regional assemblies.

Unite Craven sees the process as another chance to press for full restoration of the old boundaries.

However, when Pendle Council met to formulate its approach to the review, members were advised that: "The question of West Craven going into Craven District cannot arise because Craven is not in the North West region."

Mr Hoyle rejected that advice as "sheer bureaucracy", insisting that people with strong views should not be deprived of stating them.

He is now urging supporters to write to The Boundary Committee for England, Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London, SW1P 2HY. Copies of the letters should also be sent to Pendle Borough Council, Town Hall, Market Street, Nelson, Lancashire, BB9 7LG.