Made in Yorkshire

From cars to cheese it’s all been made here! And in many cases it still is.

Take W R Outhwaite & Son for example - they have been ropemakers since 1905 and are still operating an expanding business in Hawes. They also have a visitor centre. [Link]

Or Walkley Clogs of Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge who make not just souvenirs for the visitor centre but industrial versions for home and abroad - even exporting to Holland! [Link]

To get an idea of what the region offers to modern businesses visit Yorkshire Forward ... and for modern arts and crafts try web sites like Made in Yorkshire or Made in the Dales. But for history, heritage and nostalgia there are a range of industrial museums -

• Armley Mills - Leeds Industrial Museum

• Bradford Industrial Museum - pictures

• Calderdale Industrial Museum, Halifax

• Sheffield Kelham Island Museum

• Sheffield Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet

• National Coal Mining Museum, Wakefield

• National Media Museum, Bradford

• National Railway Museum, York

Yorkshire Day

In recent years there has been a movement to promote Yorkshire’s regional identity. Now every 1st August is designated as Yorkshire Day and there are at least two alternative Yorkshire flags; even though a white rose on a blue ground is the only one produced commercially.

Yorkshire Pudding

It is claimed that Yorkshire Puddings date back to the Middle Ages. Then it was called a ‘Dripping Pudding’ and cooked underneath the joint of meat being roasted on a spit. In times of hardship it was used as the main meal itself. In the 18th century the present day Yorkshire version of the Dripping Pudding became popular and replaced Plum Pudding as the accompaniment to roast beef.

Today you can go for the traditional freshly prepared receipe or take the shortcut of using one of Aunt Bessies frozen varieties (made in Hull) but either way there are plenty of options. More here soon ...

More Yorkshire Foods

Despite takeovers of many local and regional producers over the years there are still some interesting and traditional Yorkshire foods.

Shaws of Huddersfield produce quality sauces, relishes and chutneys since 1889. More here soon ...

However there are some sad losses -

Terrys of York have recently closed their York factory and Doncaster Butterscotch is just a memory .... More here soon ...

And for a break on the heritage trails you can always have a nice cup of Yorkshire Tea at Betty’s Cafe or traditional fish and chips more ..