A proud day to be from Lancashire

On this day in 1295 the first elected representatives from Lancashire were called to Westminster by King Edward I to attend what later became known as “The Model Parliament”.

Lancashire Day is being marked with a host of events and the reading out of the Lancashire Day Proclamation by town criers today.

Venues include: Preston - Outside St. Georges Shopping Centre, Friargate 12 noon and Fishergate 12.15pm; Carnforth - War Memorial -12 noon; Clitheroe - Market Place - 12 noon; Garstang - Library 10.30am & 11.30am. Market Cross - 11am; Lancaster – on the steps of the City Museum – 3.00pm; Lytham – Clifton Square – 12 noon; Ormskirk - Market Place - 12 noon.

Gatherings and fundraising events marking Lancashire Day are taking place across the region - including areas now part of Greater Manchester, Mersyside and Cheshire for local government purposes.

The proclamation will read:

“To the people of the city and county palatine of Lancaster. Greetings!

“Know ye that this day, November 27th in the year of our Lord Two Thousand and Fourteen, the 63rd year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Duke of Lancaster, is Lancashire Day.

“Know ye also, and rejoice, that by virtue of Her Majesty’s County Palatine of Lancaster, the citizens of the Hundreds of Lonsdale, North and South of the Sands, Amounderness, Leyland, Blackburn, Salford and West Derby are forever entitled to style themselves Lancastrians.

“Throughout the County Palatine, from the Furness Fells to the River Mersey, from the Irish Sea to the Pennines, this day shall ever mark the peoples’ pleasure in that excellent distinction – true Lancastrians, proud of the Red Rose and loyal to our Sovereign Duke. God bless Lancashire, and God Save the Queen, Duke of Lancaster.”

Today at Lancaster Castle, all guided tours will mention that it is Lancashire Day and explain the origins of the county palatine.

The cafe will also be offering a Lancashire menu.

In Littleborough Village, there will be the raising of the Lancashire flag and reading of the Lancashire Day Proclamation by the cenotaph at 9.30am in the presence of school children.

A Lancashire Night will be held at Irwell Works, Irwell St. Ramsbottom, at 7.30pm. Keith Towers and Steve Ingham will play songs of Lancashire.

The Lancastrian Suite at Park Hall, Charnock Richard, will host from 11am till 3pm a fundraising event for the Legacy Rainbow House, based at Mawdesley. There will be stalls selling Lancashire produce, crafts and gifts. Entertainment, music, and clog dancing.

At Hoghton Tower, Lancashire dialect experts, Sid Calderbank and Mark Dowding will provide entertainment as Tackler’s Tales. Songs, stories and poems and hot pot supper. The event starts at 7pm.

At Warton Village Hall a Hot Pot and apple pie supper with a quiz. It starts at 7.30 pm. Tomorrow, The Friends of Ribbleton Library are holding a Celebration of Lancashire Day from 10am to 2.30pm. A Lancashire quiz, a hotpot lunch, a tombola and raffle will be held at the library in Ribbleton Hall Drive.

‘All the things that make living in the Red Rose County so special’

Ruth Connor, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire, reveals why she believes we should all celebrate our pride in being Lancastrians.

Lancashire Day, 27 November, marks the day in 1295 when the first elected representatives from Lancashire were called to London by King Edward I to help form what later became known as ‘The Model Parliament’, England’s first legally elected legislature.

Today, thanks to the passion of groups such as the Friends of Real Lancashire, local councils and proud businesses across the county including Marketing Lancashire, the day not only celebrates Lancashire’s rich history but its enduring traditions, culture and warmth of the people; all the things that make living in the Red Rose County so special.

On the day itself you’ll hear proclamations and toasts to Her Majesty The Queen (our Duke of Lancaster) in castles, market places and town halls all over Lancashire, as well as events in tourist information centres, visitor attractions, restaurants and cafes where traditional crafts, storytelling and local produce demonstrate our genuine hospitality and regional pride.

From the finest Lancashire cheeses and Morecambe Bay Shrimps, recognised the world over, to local crafts that recall our industrial heritage, historic landmarks, museums and houses that hold some of the country’s national treasures, we have so much to be grateful for.

It’s important to have a day when we can indulge in all things Lancashire, celebrate our entrepreneurial spirit and remind the world of our contribution to British culture.

It’s our Lancastrian nature to be quite modest but on this day, more than any other, we should shake off that reserve and give each other a county-wide pat on the back. It’s always Lancashire Day at Marketing Lancashire as we promote the county every day of year, but on the 27th day dedicated to Lancashire, where life feels good.

Throughout November Marketing Lancashire has been inviting users of social media to spread the word by using #LancashireDay #wherelifefeelsgood along with a favourite Lancashire photo for a chance to win a fantastic Lancashire short break courtesy of Northcote, a year’s supply of Dewlay Lancashire Cheese and a one-year subscription to Lancashire Life Magazine.

Hundreds of photographs have already been shared with a reach of more than three 3 million.

Last year

#LancashireDay was trending in the UK and social media users from the world of television, theatre, sport and business helped circulate Lancashire tweets around the globe.

Visitors to Lancashire are increasing year on year, which shows that more people are discovering that Lancashire is a quality destination with an amazing array of things to do, to see and enjoy – which keeps them coming back time and again.

The latest figures show that more than 63 million visitors come to Lancashire, which is 20 million more visitors than the Lake District.

It’s important for a place to have a strong identity to achieve standout, usually expressed in its culture, food and people.

Campaigns such as #lancashireDay #Wherelifefeelsgood that provide the opportunity to highlight not just our tourism assets but our character and personality as well as our generosity and hospitality, make a huge contribution to building that compelling brand.

To celebrate Lancashire Day we want you to send us pictures of your favurite Lancashire places, tweet us @leponline or share them with us on Facebook