Yorkshire Society

The Yorkshire Society is a non-political organisation concerned with the cultural, social and environmental life of Yorkshire, England. The modern organisation was established in December 1980 by Barry Whittaker and David Daniel, the latter identified in the organisation’s historical account as a councillor for the West Riding. Its creation drew on the ideals associated with an earlier Yorkshire Society founded in 1818, whose members sought to support social welfare and improve the physical environment of Yorkshire. The earlier body was associated with wealthy Yorkshire gentry and charitable activity directed toward working-class and poorer communities across the county. The Society’s membership is not restricted to an elite social group. Its stated constituency includes people born in Yorkshire, people who work there, residents of the county and others interested in Yorkshire’s welfare and identity. Its objectives encompass improving the attractiveness and amenities of the countryside, towns, villages, historic houses and monuments; encouraging and supporting local projects; cooperating with established organisations to promote tourism; contributing to discussion of industrial, commercial and employment issues; and bringing Yorkshire people together through regional and local events, fellowship, discussion and debate. A significant part of the Society’s public role is charitable and commemorative. It has helped generate funds for charities through the annual Yorkshire Awards, an event held in the autumn and co-sponsored at different times by Yorkshire Television and a range of Yorkshire-based or Yorkshire-associated businesses. The Society’s named award category is the Yorkshire Lifetime Achievement Award. Reported recipients include figures from business, public life, science, the arts, broadcasting, food and sport-related cultural life, among them Lawrence Batley, Ken Morrison, Victor Watson, Lord Harewood, Roy Mason, Tom Kilburn, Brian Rix, Michael Parkinson, Barry Cryer, Brian Turner and Ashley Jackson. The organisation also commemorates Yorkshire history by placing Yorkshire Rose plaques honouring notable people connected with the county. Individuals recorded as recipients or subjects include inventor Percy Shaw, Marks & Spencer co-founder Thomas Spencer, sculptor Henry Moore, cartographer Christopher Saxton, former Prime Minister H. H. Asquith, Bailey bridge inventor Sir Donald Bailey, aircraft designer Herbert Smith, explorer Sir Martin Frobisher, former Prime Minister Harold Wilson, architect Benjamin Latrobe and Wensleydale cheese advocate Kit Calvert. The Society has additionally hosted the annual Yorkshire History Awards. Another prominent activity is the convening of Yorkshire Day, the civic celebration held on 1 August each year. Traditionally, the Society’s patron has been the Duke of York. The referenced account identifies Sir Rodney Walker as its current chairman. The organisation’s profile is therefore that of a membership and civic association rather than a commercial consumer brand: it uses events, awards, heritage markers and partnerships to strengthen Yorkshire’s public identity and support local charitable and community interests.

The Yorkshire Society’s modern history is rooted in a longer tradition of organised civic concern for Yorkshire. An earlier organisation using the Yorkshire Society name was established in 1818. It was led by members of the Yorkshire gentry and sought to encourage people born in, working in or living in the county to participate in an association dedicated to social welfare and the improvement of Yorkshire’s physical environment. Its charitable outlook included concern for working-class and poor communities throughout the county. The historical account also records an earlier society that operated Yorkshire Society Schools on Westminster Road in London, demonstrating that the name had been used by organisations serving Yorkshire-connected communities beyond the county itself. The present Yorkshire Society was founded in December 1980 by Barry Whittaker and David Daniel, described as a councillor for the West Riding. The new organisation adopted principles associated with the 1818 body while operating in a contemporary civic context. It was established as a non-political association and opened membership to a broad public rather than limiting participation to people from a particular social class or professional group. Its objectives have combined practical local improvement with the preservation and promotion of Yorkshire identity. The Society has encouraged projects intended to improve the beauty, attractions and amenities of rural and urban places, including villages, towns, historic houses and monuments. It has also supported cooperation with other organisations involved in tourism, contributed to discussion of industrial, commercial and unemployment issues, and provided opportunities for Yorkshire people to meet through regional and local activities. Over time, the Society developed several visible public programmes. Its annual Yorkshire Awards have been associated with charitable fundraising and have included a Yorkshire Lifetime Achievement Award recognising notable contributions in public life, business, science, culture and other fields. The Society has also commemorated Yorkshire figures through Yorkshire Rose plaques. These markers have honoured people ranging from inventors and artists to politicians, explorers, architects, industrialists and advocates of regional industries. The plaque programme gives the Society a tangible heritage-preservation role while linking local places to wider Yorkshire history. The Society has further acted as host for the annual Yorkshire History Awards and has convened Yorkshire Day, celebrated on 1 August. These activities place the organisation within Yorkshire’s civic calendar and provide recurring platforms for heritage, regional pride and public recognition. Its traditional patronage by the Duke of York reflects a connection with the older association, while the referenced account identifies Sir Rodney Walker as chairman. The available material does not provide a complete chronology of officers, branches, premises, finances or organisational changes. Nevertheless, the Society’s documented trajectory is one of continuity: an 1818 tradition of county-wide welfare and improvement was carried forward by a new organisation founded in 1980, which broadened the programme into modern heritage, awards, charitable and civic activities.

• 1980

  Modern Yorkshire Society founded

  [1]Yorkshire Societyen.wikipedia.org

  Barry Whittaker and David Daniel founded the present non-political Yorkshire Society in December.

• 1818

  Earlier Yorkshire Society established

  [1]Yorkshire Societyen.wikipedia.org

  An earlier organisation under the Yorkshire Society name was formed with aims including social welfare and improvement of Yorkshire’s physical environment.

• Yorkshire Day convened annually

  [1]Yorkshire Societyen.wikipedia.org

  The Society convenes the civic celebration of Yorkshire Day on 1 August each year.

A non-political Yorkshire-focused civic and cultural association combining regional identity, heritage commemoration, charitable fundraising, tourism advocacy and community engagement.

• Yorkshire Awards

  Yorkshire · England

  An annual autumn awards programme associated with charitable fundraising and recognition of contributions to Yorkshire. The Society’s named category is the Yorkshire Lifetime Achievement Award.

  Outcome. The programme has generated funds for charities and recognised figures from public life, business, science, arts and broadcasting.

  Source
• Yorkshire Rose plaques

  Yorkshire · England

  A heritage and commemoration initiative placing Yorkshire Rose plaques to mark notable men and women connected with Yorkshire.

  Outcome. Plaques have commemorated figures including Percy Shaw, Henry Moore, H. H. Asquith, Sir Donald Bailey, Benjamin Latrobe, Harold Wilson and Kit Calvert.

  Source
• Yorkshire Day

  Yorkshire · England

  The Society convenes the annual civic celebration of Yorkshire Day on 1 August.

  Outcome. It provides a recurring public occasion for celebrating Yorkshire identity and civic life.

  Source

1. 1Yorkshire Societyen.wikipedia.org