TODAY, we are told, is a time to sing the praises of all that is great about being part of the historic county of Yorkshire.

Yorkshire Day is the area's very distinctive way of celebrating itself and this year will see, once again, the people of Wharfedale throwing themselves into the spirit of the occasion.

Brave bathers in Ilkley were preparing to test the chilly spa waters of White Wells while giving a rendition of On Ilkla Moor Baht 'At as part of the more traditional celebrations.

And across the county people were queuing up between 11am and noon to recite Yorkshire's Declaration of Integrity.

A proud affirmation of regional identity, the declaration adds a political edge to what for others is merely another reason to organise a bit of fun or, for businesses, bring in a bit more money.

Invoking the history of the "three Ridings and the City of York, with these Boundaries of 1,125 years standing", it is easy to assume a similar link with antiquity applies to Yorkshire Day itself.

But the event is in fact only 27 years old, having been created on August 1, 1975 by the Yorkshire Ridings Society. The move was inspired by the reorganisation of local government boundaries the previous year, which dismantled the old Ridings - and which many perceived as an attack on the county's identity.

Yorkshire Day's date, however, does have historical significance as it is taken from a battle involving Yorkshire soldiers fought in Minden, Germany, in 1759.

The surviving combatants picked white roses from nearby fields as a tribute to their fallen comrades, starting a military tradition which has since lent the county its symbol.

Ilkley Parish Council chairman Councillor Mike Gibbons is actually from Worcestershire but hopes, after 21 years in the town, to have made the grade as an 'honorary Yorkshireman'.

Coun Gibbons, who was set to officially open the proceedings with the Town Crier outside the Town Hall today, said: "I certainly think that Yorkshire folk are a very proud people and rightly so because this is one of the finest counties in England, if not the finest.

"That is why I decided to move here to live many years ago and whenever I leave and wherever I go I'm always happy to make a speedy return.

"My children were born here and I'm pleased about that. I consider this my home now."

One of the themes behind this year's event is to try to come up with new, more modern images for Yorkshire which appeal to the young and reflect the multi--cultural nature of our society.

Coun Gibbons says he understands the need to modernise, but hopes the traditional baby isn't thrown out with the bathwater.

"It is important that we move forward and I certainly don't think we're stuck in the past, as the strides being taken in our neighbouring cities of Leeds and Bradford show.

"But I also believe that the Yorkshire heritage is vitally important and should be cherished, so we should be aiming at promoting a successful marriage of the two."

Many traders, museums and attractions, like Ilkley's Manor House, take advantage of the appeal to local identity on August 1 to draw in extra summer customers and visitors.

And several of Ilkley's most high profile shops, including Betty's Cafe and Lishman's butchers, have created special treats for the day - some of which will be available for free tasting at the Tourist Information Centre.

But the vice -chairman of Ilkley Business Forum, Iain Whitaker, is unconvinced of the success of the idea. Now on holiday in Portugal, he said: "I obviously won't be part of it this year, being abroad, and I can't say I've ever really done anything special for it. It is rather nice to have a day that's related to our county, but it's never really been a big day, has it?

"I'm a very proud Yorkshireman and like everything about Yorkshire, so as far as the image it's trying to get across goes I wouldn't go too far away from our roots.

"People across the country might reckon we all go about with cloth caps and whippets but Yorkshire is a very beautiful county and perhaps we should be shouting about how wonderful the natural landscape is."

Mr Whitaker's scepticism seems to be shared by the people of Otley and Aireborough, where August 1 seems set to pass by like any other day.

Leeds District Councillor for Otley and Wharfedale, Clive Fox, said: "There's nothing doing, as far as I'm aware. There's never been that much enthusiasm in this area for Yorkshire Day - it's something that's never really taken off.

"Everyone's heard of it but maybe people just quietly go around with their white roses, because I certainly haven't heard of anything else.

"It's something that's been revived in recent years and doesn't seem to have the real, ancient tradition linked to it."

District councillor for Aireborough, Graham Latty, agreed. He said: "I have absolutely nothing in my diary for today, and to be honest it has completely passed me by. Nobody has approached me or sought my involvement for anything at all, and I can only interpret that as a lack of enthusiasm for the event."

Perhaps in recognition of the event's failure to wholly capture the popular imagination, the organisers have been urging people to display Yorkshire Day posters in their shop or house windows this year.

People are also being asked to buy and wear white silk roses in support of the day - and to raise money for local Multiple Sclerosis charities.

The official website says: "Remember, wearing Yorkshire's white rose on August 1 shows you care about the traditional culture and heritage of our county."

For Ilkley amateur historian Frazer Irwin, 55, caring has never been a problem. Four years ago, incensed at the lack of availability of Yorkshire flags, Mr Irwin took his complaints to the national media and had them aired on the Andy Peebles Radio Show.

His efforts were eventually rewarded when he received a flag bearing the white rose on a blue background from developers Crest Homes.

He said: "I wanted it for White Wells, where I've flown it a few times now, and was amazed at how rare the flags had become.

"I think Yorkshire Day is a wonderful idea because it brings to the fore the greatest county in the country, irrespective of what they tried to do to our boundaries.

"It is for everybody who was born in the old Yorkshire boundaries and wherever you go in the world, whether it's Alaska or Japan, people know something about Yorkshire because it has such a strong identity.

"I can agree with trying to appeal to the young more but in doing so we're in danger of losing a lot of what Yorkshire is, because the county's always been forward thinking."

As if to prove the point, Mr Irwin was preparing to play a 21st Century version of On Ilkla Moor Baht 'At, courtesy of a CD by Leeds punk group Chumbawamba, at White Wells this afternoon.