Calendar

Jul
29
Wed
2020
Buckinghamshire Day: Inaugural Paralympic Games
Jul 29 all-day

Buckinghamshire Day marks the origin of the Paralympic Games.

On the opening day of the London Olympics (1948), Stoke Mandeville Hospital hosted the first event ever organised for disabled athletes alongside an Olympic Games.

The Stoke Mandeville Games later became the Paralympic Games, which first took place in Rome (1960).

https://www.paralympic.org/ipc/history

Aug
1
Sat
2020
Yorkshire Day: Anniversary of Battle of Minden, 1759
Aug 1 all-day

Yorkshire Day began in 1975 as a celebration launched by the Yorkshire Ridings Society – newly formed ‘a protest movement against the local government re-organisation of 1974’ – to promote the county of Yorkshire.

The King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, now part of the The Rifles, already celebrated this date as Minden Day, marking their part in the battle of Minden (1759).

The six infantry regiments involved in that battle wear a rose in their headdress.

In the case of The Rifles, the rose is white.

Aug
22
Sat
2020
North Riding Day: Battle of the Standard, 1138
Aug 22 all-day

North Riding Day takes place annually on 22 August.

It marks the date of the battle of the Standard (1138), when English forces defeated the Scots near Northallerton.

The name of the battle derives from the consecrated banners of the minsters of Durham, York, Beverley and Ripon.

These flew from a mast mounted on a cart that marked the centre of the English position.

Aug
24
Mon
2020
East Riding Day: Birthday of William Wilberforce
Aug 24 all-day

East Riding Day takes place annually on 24 August.

It marks the birthday of Hull-born MP William Wilberforce (1759–1833), leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade.

Aug
31
Mon
2020
Northumbria Day: Feast of St Aidan
Aug 31 all-day

Northumbria Day takes place annually on 31 August, the feast of St Aidan.

Aidan of Lindisfarne (d. 651) was a monk and missionary.

He founded Lindisfarne Priory and by tradition converted the Northumbrians to Christianity.

Sep
13
Sun
2020
Rutland Day: Great Siege of Gibraltar
Sep 13 all-day

Rutland Day takes place annually on 13 September.

It marks the defeat of the ‘Grand Assault’ during the siege of Gibraltar in 1782.

Among the defenders were the men of the 58th (Rutlandshire) Regiment of Foot.

Sep
22
Tue
2020
Derbyshire Day
Sep 22 all-day

Derbyshire Day takes place annually on 22 September.

BBC Radio Derby presenter Andy Whittaker organised a vote, and the chosen date commemorates the first raising of the flag.

Alternative suggestions included: 28 July – Derby, the county town, granted city status; 12 May – the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who spent her early years in the county.

Sep
24
Thu
2020
Cumberland Day: Baptism of John Peel
Sep 24 all-day

Cumberland Day takes place each year on 24 September.

It marks the anniversary of the baptism of renowned local character John Peel (1776-1854).

Sep
25
Fri
2020
Monmouthshire Day: Feast of St Cadoc
Sep 25 all-day

Montmouthshire Day takes place each year on 25 September, the feast of Saint Cadoc or Cadog (born c. 497).

Cadoc was the founder of the monastery of Llancarfan, and a pioneer of Celtic Christianity in Wales.

Sep
29
Tue
2020
Westmorland Day: Creation of Earldom of Westmorland
Sep 29 all-day

Westmorland Day takes place annually on 29 September.

It marks the date in 1397, when King Richard II created Ralph Neville the first Earl of Westmorland.

A poll at the Westmorland County Show (2013) chose this day.

Other options included: 30 January – birth of Lady Anne Clifford; 30 July – death of Thomas de Strickland; 1 October – battle of Tinghai; 21 October – death of Earl Ralph Neville; 18 December – battle of Clifton (perhaps the last battle on English soil).