Our sincere thanks go to Goole Town Council for organising an excellent Yorkshire Day civic celebration for us this year.

Goole was chosen to host in 2026 because it coincides with the town’s bicentennial. You might have some pre-conceived ideas about Goole and if you haven’t been there, they’re probably wrong. Famous for being Yorkshire’s most inland port, it still operates as a significant port but is now also attracting new land-based investment. An improved town centre and leafy suburbs make it a very pleasant place to visit.

The day started with breakfast served at Goole Town Cricket Club, where civic guests and members of the Society gathered early on a sunny day to enjoy breakfast. Here, the first of a number of group photographs were taken before everyone boarded coaches to be taken to the town centre and the Junction Theatre and Cinema where two informative and entertaining films about Goole were shown. After this, the traditional parade was formed and everyone walked in formation through the town centre to St John’s Church, where a thanksgiving service was held.

It was then back onto the coaches for a ‘guided tour’ of Goole landmarks including a stop at the impressive West Park where we saw a plaque commemorating Goole’s hosting of Yorkshire Day unveiled. A brass band was playing, of course, and many of the townsfolk were already there to enjoy the weather and the occasion. Back onto the coaches, we were returned to the cricket club for a lovely civic lunch and VIP speeches, including a special one by the East Ridings Lord Lieutenant, Mr James Dick OBE, who used the opportunity to present the British Empire Medal to Goole’s Town Clerk, Mr Brian Robertson. There was also the important job of handing over the official Yorkshire Flag to next year’s hosts, Hedon Town Council.

There was another advantage of using the cricket club for the lunch on such a sunny day – a cricket match between Goole Town CC and Drax CC and the Society presented the winners (Drax CC) with a special trophy.

A full gallery of images will be added to the Society website soon, for now here is a selection of images from the day. Well done Goole, and thank you.