(Above image: Derwentwater, The Lake District. Pixaby)
With the cost of holidays abroad seeming to go up and up each year, more people are choosing to stay closer to home for weekends away and longer trips. After all, it can be a lot of hassle getting to and from the airport and going through security, whereas with staycations all you need to do is jump in the car or get on the train and you’re at your destination.
But where are some of the most popular places close to home?
(Image: Scafell Hills, Eskdale. Pixaby)
Distance from central Harrogate: it depends where in The Lake District you visit but it is approximately a two-hour drive to most locations.
The Lake District is known for its stunning landscape featuring lakes, coast and mountains – including the highest mountain in England, Scafell Pike that is quite a feat to climb up – all of which make for beautiful backdrops for walks that the area is renowned for.
As well as walking, there are many other outdoor activities to make the most of this scenery including gorge scrambling, abseiling, rock climbing and paddleboarding.
Although Windermere is undoubtedly one of the most popular locations, be sure to check out other places in both the North and South Lakes including the town of Keswick and smaller quaint villages such as Grasmere and Buttermere. You can keep your energy up with some Kendal Mint Cake along the way.
There are also popular tourist sites to visit such as The World of Beatrix Potter, one of the most famous literary names the Lake District is associated with.
Did you know? There’s actually only one lake in The Lake District and that’s Bassenthwaite Lake. The others are ‘meres’ or ‘waters’.
(Image: Saltburn-by-Sea. Wikipedia Commons)
Distance from central Harrogate: approximately an hour and a quarter drive.
Saltburn-by-the-Sea is often the go-to destination for a day trip to the seaside thanks to its miles upon miles of sandy beaches.
Parking can often be found close to the front, and from there you can take a walk along the dramatic clifftops that comprise the Hunt Cliff reserve that are among the highest cliffs on the East Coast of England.
Some of the must-dos include eating fish and chips on the beach and riding the famous funicular Saltburn Cliff Lift, which provides access to Saltburn Pier and the seafront from the town.
(Image: Saltburn Pier. Pixaby)
Did you know? Saltburn pier is the only remaining pier in Yorkshire.
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(Image: Bamburgh. Wikipedia Commons)
Distance from central Harrogate: approximately two and a half hours’ drive.
Known for its pristine, stunning white beach, you almost feel as though you’re not in the UK when visiting Bamburgh, and its impressive castle stands proud atop a 180-foot crag so you can see it from pretty much wherever you are on the coastline.
There are sand dunes abound, rock pools to go crabbing in and cafés and pubs aplenty to grab a bit to eat in.
Other places to visit nearby include Seahouses and Holy Island, the former of which you can walk to from Bamburgh.
Did you know? Bamburgh Castle is not just a tourist attraction; it’s a working castle and is one of the largest inhabited castles in the UK.
(Image: the Peak District. Pixaby)
Distance from central Harrogate: approximately an hour and a quarter drive.
One of the top things to do in the Peak District is to go on a countryside walk taking in the arresting vistas with a pit-stop at a pub along the way.
Aside from this, the Peak District has many charming villages and towns to explore, including the spa town of Buxton, known for its Romanesque architecture.
Other must-visits sites include heading to Bakewell for a Bakewell tart (spoiler alert: it’s nothing like Mr Kipling’s), uncovering the area’s caves and caverns and seeing the fascinating rock formations, as well as visiting the many stately homes and castles that are in the area.
Did you know? The Peak District features Britain’s oldest long-distance national walking trail, the Pennine Way. It starts at Edale and stretches to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders and is 268 miles long.
(Image: Chatsworth House. Pixaby)
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There’s no need to travel to the Big Smoke to see what’s on at the National Theatre, instead you can feel as though you’re at the renowned theatre in London thanks to the luxury cinema chain’s live screenings at its regional premises.
An initiative operated by the Royal National Theatre in London, it broadcasts live, by satellite, performances of their productions – and those of other theatres – to cinemas and arts centres around the world.
The programme began its pilot season in June 2009 with a production of Phèdre, starring Helen Mirren, which screened live in 70 cinemas across the UK. Two hundred more venues eventually showed the production internationally, resulting in a combined audience of around 50,000 people for this one performance.
The second production, All’s Well That Ends Well, was shown at approximately 300 screens.
Today, the number of venues that show NT Live productions has grown to approximately 700 with 11 million people watching them across the globe. Many of the cinemas also offer repeat screenings of popular productions which are termed as ‘Encores’.
Whether you’re watching Kit Harington go to battle in Henry V, or Phoebe Waller-Bridge delivering her solo tour de force in Fleabag, you’ll be at the heart of the action without the big trip down to London.
Most venues screen the productions live as they are broadcast, but due to time differences in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States venues in those countries, they show the recorded production some days later.
The actors on stage deliver their performances as they normally would any other night. But to make sure audiences watching in the cinemas have the best seat in the house, it tailors the position of its cameras to capture each production and works closely with technical teams to make sure every element on stage such as lighting, hair and make-up look as good on the big screen so it’s the next best thing to being there.
Harrogate’s Everyman is showing Nye, which details the story of Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan, the Welshman who has often been referred to as the politician with greatest influence on our country without ever being Prime Minister.
This is all thanks to his tireless campaign for the nationalisation of hospitals that eventually became the birth of the National Health Service in 1948.
Roger Evans (Archie Lush), Michael Sheen (Nye Bevan) and Sharon Small (Jennie Lee). Photography credit: Johan Persson
Written by Tim Price and directed by Rufus Norris, fellow Welshman Michael Sheen plays the title role which delves Bevan into his deepest memories and a mind-bending journey back through his life; from childhood to mining underground, Parliament, and fights with Churchill.
It’s a must-see minus the travel.
Tickets from £19.50, it runs for two hours 40 minutes at 6.45pm on April 23, and 1pm on May 8. Everyman Harrogate, Westgate House, Station Parade, Harrogate, HG1 1HQ.
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5 things to do in and around Harrogate this weekend
Get out and about with our guide of the top cultural goings-on from 19-21 April.
Now that the weather is finally fine and dry, it’s time to dust off those walking boots and get out into the great outdoors. And this walk is especially for you if you’re an experienced hiker as it’s a 20-mile loop.
Starting in Hampsthwaite, you’ll walk along the River Nidd then onto Brimham Rocks and Ripley Castle, and on it you’ll see all of the springtime sights including the beautiful bluebells of Nidderdale.
Free, 8am, April 20, starting at Hampsthwaite Church, Station Lane, Hampsthwaite, Harrogate, HG3 2HB. Unfortunately no dogs are allowed on this guided walk.
(Image: Annie Dalton’s Picasso-inspired Two Sleeping Dogs)
Unleash your creativity at one of PopUp Painting’s events held at Harrogate’s Major Tom’s Social Bar. Themed on artist Annie Dalton’s Picasso-inspired Two Sleeping Dogs, try your hand at painting a masterpiece that you can hang on the walls of your home afterwards.
The two-and-a-half-hour class includes all art supplies, and you can also ask for guidance if you so wish.
£35.99, 3-5.30pm, April 21, Major Tom’s Social Bar, The Ginnel, Harrogate, HG1 2RB.
You can’t go wrong with a musical, and Sister Act the Musical is especially uplifting. The community production presented by Ripon Amateur Operatic Society tells the story of Deloris van Cartier who witnesses a murder and takes refuge in a convent.
Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and uptight Mother Superior and she turns the convent choir into a soulful chorus complete with a Motown repertoire.
From £20, 7.30pm April 17 – 20, and a matinee at 2.30pm on April 20, Harrogate Theatre, 6 Oxford Street, Harrogate, HG1 1QF.
(Image: Pixaby)
Learn the basics of how to use printing blocks at this workshop at St Mark’s Church where you can pick your own pattern to stamp a pattern or a message onto a piece of fabric.
All materials are included, as well as light refreshments.
Free but suggested donation £5, 10am-4.30pm, April 20, St Mark’s Church, Leeds Road, Harrogate, HG2 8AY.
Local author Derek Shelmerdine is co-presenting Harrogate Film Society’s Season 1 of Music Legends.
The first film of the series of four is on Friday night is Hitsville: The Making of Motown that details the golden age of the soul music legend. It looks at the birth of Motown in Detroit in 1958 until its relocation to Los Angeles in the early 1970s.
Featuring rare performances, interviews and behind-the-scenes footage offer insight into the history and cultural impact of Motown Records.
£6 or £5 for HFS members, doors open at 7pm and the film starts at 7.30pm, April 19, Bilton Club, Skipton Road, Harrogate, HG1 4LL.
Also check out… French Impressions that explores music by two of the great French Impressionist composers: Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. It’s on at Ripon Cathedral at 7.30pm on April 20 and tickets cost from £20.
Do you have an event that you’d like us to potentially feature in the future? Drop me an email at francesca@thestrayferret.co.uk
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The cherry blossom is in full bloom on the Stray, Harrogate
The annual display of cherry blossom is now in full bloom – catch it while you can as you walk along the Stray’s paths.
Here are five fun facts you might not know about the sakura trees…
Email in your images of the blossoms – either in Harrogate or from your local area – for a chance to be featured in our extra-special spring edition of Photo of the Week to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.
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Amber’s at Cedar Court Hotel in Harrogate is now open.
The hotel, which has been undergoing an extensive refurbishment over the last 12 months, has invested £500,000 into the venture.
Yorkshire-based interior design practice, Studio Two, orchestrated its redesign and renovation, which has been designed to elevate the usual hotel restaurant experience. Inspired by the building’s rich history, think ornate detailing, earthy warm tones, and intricate details.
Offering a Yorkshire take on contemporary British cuisine in a sophisticated setting, the chefs have been working closely with local suppliers to design a carefully curated menu.
Beef brisket at Amber’s
Dishes include 28-day dry aged steaks Hereford breed beef, sourced locally from Sykes House Farm, Wetherby, roasted Gressingham duck breast and Sunday lunches with all the trimmings.
Meanwhile, its bar offers a mixture of traditional and modern drinks and includes the signature Amber’s margarita cocktail, which is made with pineapple tequila, agave syrup and lime juice. This is inspired by Lady Amber Fitzwilliam and her travels to South America, a fictional character, which has been invented to add depth and intrigue to the backstory of the new restaurant.
The private dining room at Amber’s
Alongside its main restaurant and bar which seats 75 people, there is a newly created private dining and entertaining venue, The Imaginarium, which offers capacity for up to 28 people, and the refreshed banqueting venue, known as The Queen Suite, has a capacity of up to 250 people.
The main dining room at Amber’s
Wayne Topley, Managing Director, Cedar Court said:
“It is fantastic to finally be able to share our brand-new restaurant, Amber’s, with guests, visitors and members of the local community after months of hard work.
“We can’t wait to welcome everyone to our event on Tuesday 16 April to showcase what we have been working on, celebrate and make connections!”
Amber’s Restaurant, Cedar Court Harrogate, Park Parade, Harrogate, HG1 5AH.
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The Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park in Ripon has a new 60-strong artwork exhibition
Above: Fish Pool by Diane Maclean
Go on an immersive journey through art and nature at the Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park, near Ripon, at its new 60 collection artwork exhibition entitled Sculpture in the Landscape. It opens for the season next week on Thursday April 18 until the end of October 2024.
Showcasing artists from across the globe, the pieces are dotted around the 45 acres of gardens and will be on display along with the 90 mixed media permanent sculptures.
Willow Snow Tiger by Leila Veneer
From monumental installations to intricate pieces, each sculpture will invite those visiting the garden to think about the artwork in a unique and thought-provoking manner. This is all to the backdrop of the gardens that are home to more than 20,000 plants, including one of the North’s largest collection of rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias.
Visitors can expect to encounter sculptures crafted from a myriad of materials, each telling a unique story and the garden can make for a great day out for art enthusiasts, nature lovers, and families alike.
Barn Owl And Vole by Bryn Parry
Will Roberts from the Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park said:
“We are delighted to present this exhibition, celebrating the intersection of art and nature.
“This year’s exhibition features a rich tapestry of creative expressions, offering visitors an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of both the sculptural and natural worlds and provides a platform for established and emerging artists to showcase their talent while fostering dialogue about the environment, culture, and society.”
The artwork will also be available for visitors to buy should they wish; just head to this link for details.
A Vessel by Cillian Briody
Mr And Mrs Pig by Henrietta Bud
Fallen Fruit, Apple III by Chris Moss
A Vessel by Cillian Briody
The Watchman by Rory Cannon
A Brisk Walk by Simon Conolly RBSA, RSMA
Aderyn by Stephen Page
Swift Return by Gill Wicks BA(Hons) Fashion Design, PGCE
Blue Door Sycamore by Dave Watkinson
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Lead image: Pixaby
Stuck for ideas of what to do at the weekend? Here’s the Stray Ferret’s top picks of cultural activities from April 11-14.
Harrogate Dog Show
Taking place for the third year running, Harrogate Dog Show is back on Saturday.
Held at Victoria Shopping Centre Piazza, you can show up on the day with your dog and enter him or her into some of the categories that include Handsomest Dog, Fanciest Female, Cutest Puppy, Best Purebred, Best Cross Breed/Heinz 57, Best Trick and Dog the Judge Would Most Like to Take Home, all of which are judged by a surprise guest star.
New for this year are dog training workshops, alongside firm favourite the mini dog park.
Free, 10am-4pm, April 13, Victoria Shopping Centre Piazza, Station Parade, Harrogate, HG1 1AE.
Spring Food, Home and Garden Show
Get your home spring ready inside and out with ideas from the Spring Food, Home and Garden Show held at Ripon Cathedral. Discover the latest trends in home décor for ideas to revamp your living space and gather garden inspiration aplenty. There will also be garden related talks and demonstrations in the library.
Make a day of it and have a bite to eat in the pop-up café or from one of the vendors at the local food stalls. There will also be a live choir singing, children’s activities and even farm animals in front of the cathedral to see.
£5, 10am-4pm, April 13, Ripon Cathedral, Liberty Court House, Minster Road, Ripon, HG4 1QT.
Murder Mystery event
What could be better than taking part in a whodunnit, dining on a three-course meal all aboard a steam train?
The murder mystery has an unusual horticulture theme and during the evening participants have to search the space for clues, evidence to uncover and suspects to interrogate, trying to out the people who might be connected to the crime in order to get to the bottom of the mystery.
£72 per person, lunchtime performance doors open at 12.30pm and starts at 1pm, evening performances doors open at 5.30pm and start at 6pm, Friday April 12, 6pm, Saturday April 13 1pm & 6pm, Bolton Abbey Station, Bolton Abbey, Skipton, BD23 6AF.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Two male Bactrian camels were born at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in March and the youngsters have recently ventured out into the reserve to join the rest of the herd.
“We are overjoyed by the two new additions, and we cannot wait for our visitors to see them,” says Ayshea Seston, hoofstock team leader at the 175-acre park.
“It is really lovely to welcome the new arrivals at the same time – they will grow up together and create such a strong bond.”
Go visit the fluffy calves along with the rest of the animals at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park this weekend.
From £20.99 per person, Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Hurst Lane, Doncaster, DN9 3QY.
Legacy Jewellery
Most people have unworn pieces of jewellery sitting at home that they may no longer wear, or they may have inherited and don’t know what to do with.
Discover the potential of how they can be created into new pieces at Legacy Discovery Session with Antiques Roadshow dealer Paul Hollis so that you wear them time and time again.
Free, 11am-2pm, Palm Court, Windsor House, Cornwall Road, Harrogate, HG1 2PW.
Do you have an event that you’d like us to potentially feature in the future? Drop me an email at francesca@thestrayferret.co.uk
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Discover these quirky Yorkshire cafés for your next coffee stop
Going out for lunch really could be considered a national pastime, but with so many options it can be hard to branch out and try somewhere new.
In January, the Stray Ferret revealed there’s at least 40 places serving coffee alongside cakes, pastries and light lunches in the centre of Harrogate – and that’s not to mention Knaresborough, Ripon and everywhere in between.
If you’re looking for a place with a bit of a difference, the Stray Ferret has compiled a list of some quirky Yorkshire cafés ready to be discovered.
(Image: Falling Foss Tea Garden)
Nestled in the heart of ancient Sneaton Forest, Midge Hall had been derelict for over 50 years before being transformed into the thriving tearoom it is today.
Offering a rustic, al fresco lunch spot with stunning views of Falling Foss waterfall, the menu boasts homemade and locally sourced treats such as sandwiches, cakes, scones, and speciality coffees.
Seasonal opening times are dictated by the elements – so make sure you check the website before setting off on one of the many woodland routes that lead to the waterfall.
The nearest car park is the Forestry Commission Car Park at Falling Foss which is free – but very popular in the summer months.
Falling Foss Tea Garden is located at Midge Hall, Falling Foss, Whitby, YO22 5JD.
The Winehouse Café (Image: Yorkshire Heart)
No, you haven’t crossed the channel to France – you might be surprised to learn that there’s actually a vineyard off the A59, between York and Harrogate.
Yorkshire Heart is a family-run vineyard and winery, overlooking the countryside surrounding Nun Monkton. Customers can enjoy panoramic views of the vineyard, or on warmer days sit amongst the vines themselves to have a bite to eat.
The café itself serves hot drinks, light lunch options such as sharing platters and sandwiches, an assortment of cakes, and a wide range of beers and wines.
Yorkshire Heart also offer afternoon tea packages, vineyard tours and even on-site glamping for those looking for a unique place to stay.
The Winehouse Café is located at The Vineyard, Pool Lane, Nun Monkton, YO26 8EL.
(Image: Pixabay)
You’re certainly surrounded by history in York, but never more so than when enjoying a cake or a coffee in one of the medieval gatehouses of the city walls.
Despite being part of one of the city’s main tourist attractions, the Gatehouse Coffee is something of a hidden gem, tucked away behind a thick wooden door, up a stone flight of stairs.
Once inside, customers can enjoy a selection of hot and cold drinks, cakes, and toasties, in a relaxed and cosy environment.
On sunny days, you can even venture out onto the rooftop terrace for spectacular views across the historic walls.
Gatehouse Coffee is located at Walmgate Bar, Walmgate, York YO10 2UB.
A view across Sutton Bank
Accessible only by foot, bike or horse, High Paradise Farm certainly makes a case for being one of the most remote cafés in North Yorkshire, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a visit.
With a large outside seating area that customers can enjoy the North York Moors scenery from, it’s a well-known pit stop for walkers and cyclists attempting one of the Sutton Bank bike routes.
The tearoom prides itself on serving locally sourced food – so local in fact, much of its produce is taken directly from the farm.
However due to its isolated location High Paradise Farm opens seasonally, so it’s definitely worth checking beforehand to avoid disappointment.
The tearoom at High Paradise Farm is located in Boltby, Thirsk, YO7 2HT.
(Image: The Stripey Badger)
The picturesque village of Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales plays host to The Stripey Badger, an award-winning café and bookshop all rolled into one.
Well-known for an array of breakfast options, homemade cakes, traditional cream teas and its very own rarebit recipe, customers can pop next door afterwards to peruse the books.
If you think the shopfront looks familiar there might be a reason – in the 2020 reboot of All Creatures Great & Small the shop was transformed into grocers G.F Endleby.
The Stripey Badger is located at 7 The Square, Grassington, BD23 5AQ.
Scarlett’s Vintage Tea Rooms
Scarlett’s Vintage Tea Rooms is a themed café located in Knaresborough, bringing a touch of vintage charm to the historic waterside town.
The décor is an eclectic mix of eras, with a 60s and 70s theme upstairs, and a 1940s feel to the downstairs area.
Known especially for its vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, the menu boasts sandwiches, soups and a large range of cakes – all served on vintage crockery.
Scarlett’s Vintage Tea Room is located at 3a Green Dragon Yard, Knaresborough, HG5 8AU.
The Wild Plum (Image: Ben Bentley)
Homed above boutique dress shop Snooty Frox which is located opposite Oatlands Play Fields, being further out from the town centre hasn’t done The Wild Plum any disadvantages.
The shop staff have to call up to the café to make sure there’s a seat available, and on weekends, it can be so popular that the queue often snakes out of the front door.
Once seated, customers can expect to tuck into a frequently rotating seasonal menu of breakfast, brunch and lunch options, with ingredients sourced from local suppliers but inspired by dishes from around the world.
The Wild Plum is located at 34-36 Hookstone Road, Harrogate HG2 8BW.
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Get out and about with our guide of the top cultural goings-on from 5-7 April.
(Image: Pixaby)
Handwriting seems to be somewhat of a dying art form, partly due to the rise in technology. Learn the skills of beautiful handwriting at this two-hour calligraphy workshop in Knaresborough.
Aimed at beginners and improvers, you will learn the strokes that are based on ancient manuscripts and get the knowhow to create Celtic designs.
£25, booking is required as spaces are limited, 10am-12noon, April 6, Briggate Art, 9a Briggate, Knaresborough, HG5 8BQ, 07931 778 276, chameleonartclasses@gmail.com.
(Image: Paco Valera)
Did you know that the curlew is the largest European wading bird, found on estuaries in winter and the moors in summer?
Head up to the Yorkshire Dales this weekend and meet one of the artists behind the Curlew Calling exhibition, Sally Zaranko.
Sally’s work is shown alongside Paco Valera’s photography as well as experienced and highly regarded North Yorkshire artists including Judith Bromley, Hester Cox and Robert Nicholls.
You can chat, draw and write about the beautiful bird at the event.
Free, 10am-3pm, April 6, Dales Countryside Museum, Station Yard, Hawes, DL8 3NT.
(Image: Pixaby)
You know warmer climes are on the way when you’re sowing sunflower seeds. And this weekend is the last chance to take part in the Sunflower Challenge at F Tate & Sons in Ripon.
Plant your sunflower seed at the planting table at the nursery, take your seed pot home and then post the results on social media by August 15, tagging @FTateandSons and @RiponBID for a chance to win one of three kids’ gardening prizes.
Free, 10am-4pm, April 6, F Tate & Sons, Larkhill Nurseries, Studley Road, Ripon, HG4 2QR.
(Image: Goldsborough Hall gardens)
This week is Community Gardens Week for the National Open Garden Scheme, and to mark the occasion Goldsborough Hall is opening its gardens to the public on Sunday 7 April. Visitors can expect to see colourful displays from spring bulbs, the woodland walk and a stroll up the quarter-mile long Lime Tree Walk that is lined by a carpet of more than 50,000 daffodils.
There will also be garden talks in the Kitchen Garden at 12pm and 2pm by Goldsborough Hall’s head gardener, and a plant stall on the terrace too.
£7.50 per adult, children free, 11am-4pm, April 7, Goldsborough Hall, Knaresborough, HG5 8NR.
(Image: For the Love of Art at 108 Fine Art Gallery)
Forming part of 108 Fine Art Gallery’s collections that breathe new life into the stories they tell, For the Love of Art explores personal narratives and shared experiences.
Showcasing the works of artists Paul Wager and Laimonis Mierins, expect to see work that’s from the heart and explores memories and personal connections that have been made.
Free, 11am-5pm, until April 6, 108 Fine Art Gallery, Cold Bath Road, Harrogate, HG2 ONA.
Do you have an event that you’d like us to potentially feature in the future? Drop me an email at francesca@thestrayferret.co.uk
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Campaigners’ Yorkshire Declaration on 50th anniversary of Ridings abolition
Grassroots campaigners have marked the 50th anniversary of the abolition of the historic Ridings of Yorkshire by calling for the establishment of a regional assembly with budgetary control and tax-raising powers.
One hundred “citizens of the ancient kingdom and cultural province of Yorkshire” have signed a declaration pressing for “real devolution” for the 4,596sq mile area, which will be proclaimed on (Monday) April 1.
The Yorkshire Declaration comes more than five years after the government rejected the One Yorkshire single devolution bid, which had been backed by 18 out of the region’s 20 local councils, with Sheffield and Rotherham opting for a separate South Yorkshire solution.
Communities Secretary James Brokenshire said the plan did “not meet our devolution criteria”.
Before his retirement in 2020, Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu said he counted the failure to deliver One Yorkshire amongst his greatest disappointments, warning the region’s economy would suffer if a more co-ordinated approach to policy-making was not agreed.
Speaking last week, Dr Sentamu said Conservative ministers Robert Jenrick and Jake Berry had told him they feared One Yorkshire, with an economy bigger than Scotland or the Netherlands, would lead to a republic being established.
Responding to the campaign, Dr Sentamu said as someone named Yorkshireman of the Year in 2007, he was sympathetic towards its aims and a regional government similar to that in London.
He said:
“How come London has a mayor with authority to do this or to do that, I know it’s the capital city, but believe it or not York was one of the greatest cities in England.
“Any structure which is going to deliver more for the people of Yorkshire than at present arrangements has got to be supported.”
Signatories to the document, which accuses successive governments of “neglect, asset stripping and mismanagement” of Yorkshire, include no politicians and instead range from a former Yorkshire Water boss, a knighted former civil servant and a professor of archaeology to a poet and an orchestra conductor.
However, the Yorkshire Declaration urges every resident of the region to support the campaign to ensure that devolution for Yorkshire is a key commitment in manifestos of politicians in the coming General Election.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, numerous council leaders across Yorkshire as well as Yorkshire-based peers were reticent to comment about the campaign ahead of its launch.
The campaigners claim the region has been treated by London-centred monarchs, landed aristocrats and political leaders “as little more than a colonial outpost, whose resources and people are there to be exploited for personal enrichment”.
Despite the establishment of four mayoralties in Yorkshire, the declaration states how differences in community wealth, personal well-being and career opportunities between southern England and those in the North have been allowed to become ever wider in recent years.
The document also points towards studies showing how local government has over the last decade been systematically starved of funding, with 95 per cent of UK tax revenues now being “seized by central government” and 75 per cent of expenditure controlled by Whitehall and Westminster.
The declaration highlights how London has, since 2000, had its own directly elected assembly of 25 members, while in Yorkshire saw the Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber Region closed by the coalition government in 2012 as a so-called austerity measure.
The declaration states:
“We believe that only through a strong and effective system of regional governance, as established in other more economically successful European countries, can Yorkshire fulfil its true potential.
“The French, Germans, Austrians and Swiss with their Régions Métropoles, Länder and Cantons, all trust their regions to lead the way, enabling people to come together and take control of their own destinies.
“Yorkshire is a proud and beautiful part of Northern England, with its own distinctive history, magnificent landscape, rich culture, ancient Anglo-Viking dialect of English and a gifted, creative workforce.”
Dr Simon Duffy, who runs the Sheffield-based think tank Citizen Network which has published the declaration, said countries with strong democracies and strong economies ensured power is distributed fairly.
He said:
“The extreme concentration of power and money in London has been disastrous for Yorkshire and for the North of England and unless there is urgent reform things will get even worse very quickly.”