Faith leaders, civic representatives, and people who proudly call Yorkshire home will gather in York Minster on Thursday 1 August for a special service to mark Yorkshire Day.

The Service of Prayer and Thanksgiving will begin as people gather with music sung by the York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir, before a procession of civic leaders arrives from York Mansion House to the cathedral, a place of prayer and pilgrimage in whose west window is traced ‘The Heart of Yorkshire’.

The Yorkshire Society, who are hosting a whole day of celebrations alongside the service, will process and a flag will be presented at the Altar by Cadets.

Reflections will be shared by Professor Avtar Matharu, Chair of York Interfaith Group; Shamim Eimaan, a Ugandan refugee who has lived in York for almost four decades; and Bianca Vartic, a new resident of York.

Commenting on the service, The Reverend Tim Goode, York Minster’s Canon for Congregational Discipleship and Nurture, said:  “We are thrilled to be hosting this special Yorkshire Day service at the cathedral for the first time since 2000. As a fairly new resident of York myself, I’ve been privileged to experience warmth and welcome from the Yorkshire people and have enjoyed exploring the rich and varied history and culture that the region offers.

“The service will give us all a chance to give thanks for these great counties, but also to reflect on how we wish to see the region develop into the future. I hope many people will be able to join us in our worship.”

The Service of Prayer and Thanksgiving will take place in the cathedral’s nave on Thursday 1 August starting at 11am and will last around an hour.