Unleash the whippets and the bairns – Yorkshire Day is almost upon us!

Flat caps at the ready as we prepare to celebrate all that is good about God’s Own County. We are unashamedly proud of where we’re from and enjoy doing things locally and further afield across Yorkshire with the kids to show them what they’ve got to be proud of too.


There’s so much to be celebrated about Skipton’s heritage that we’re spoilt for choice. For a low-key family day out you could look round Skipton Castle… go for a walk in Skipton Woods…take a trip out in the dales…a short barge trip…a visit to Bolton Abbey…or simply treat them to a pork pie!


If you’re willing to travel a little bit further then you could head over to Haworth where there’ll be children’s rides, a bouncy castle and much more all weekend (Sat 30th and Sun 31st July). Visit the events section at www.haworthvillage.co.uk for details. On Yorkshire Day itself, 1 August, East Riddlesden Hall will be hosting Yorkshire themed activities, food and shopping. If you visit Keighley’s Church Green, also on 1 August, Haworth Brass Band will be playing, along with others as well as Yorkshire-themed refreshments from 5pm. Visit the ‘events’ section under ‘about’ at www.keighley.gov.uk

If you’re happy to go further still and have toddlers who’ll sit still in the car long enough to make it worthwhile, you could head up to Hawes to the Wensleydale Creameries or even make a pilgrimage over to York where they’re holding Yorkshire Day celebrations across the city for the whole family. 

If you don’t want to head out at all but are still in the mood to celebrate the White Rose, then stock up on flour, milk and eggs and whip up a storm in the kitchen with the kids in the form of good old Yorkshire Puds!


Ingredients:
Plain flour 75g
Eggs (medium) 2
Milk 75ml
Water 50ml
Cooking Oil


What to do:
*Drizzle a tiny bit of oil in each of the wells of a 12 cup non-stick tray and put in a very hot oven (Mk 8, 425F, 240C).
*Fill a standard-sized mug about half full with plain flour. Put the flour, two eggs and a pinch of salt in a mixing bowl and mix till you have a gloopy paste (get the kids to help with the mixing!)
*Fill about one third of a standard-sized mug with milk and then top up with water so the mug is half full. Add the water-milk to the bowl, a bit at a time while mixing, making sure the mix stays smooth.
*Carefully take the tray out of the oven, the oil should be very hot by this stage, and pour the batter into the wells so that it is evenly divided between the 12 wells (they should each be about two thirds to three quarters full).
*Put the tray back in the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the batter has risen and is golden coloured, and there are no under-cooked bits.

Like pancake day but without the pressure of the flip, the choices for toppings are endless! Will your kids choose to stick with the staple beef, gravy & onions or opt for fruit jam; maple syrup or treacle; ice cream and fresh berries; hazelnut/chocolate spread; melted Wensleydale cheese & onion or how about a pizza topping for the truly adventurous?


Whatever you choose to do on this auspicious occasion, steer clear of the borders and the job’s a good ‘un. Happy Yorkshire Day all! X


Ps We know we’ve some lovely Lancashire friends on here – if you can’t face any of these suggestions then check out the events or things to do pages for alternatives!