Wet weather has
failed to dampen the county’s spirit as key festivals and tourism business have
declared they will not be beaten by the deluge.
Despite the county experiencing torrential
downpours this week festival organisers at the hugely popular Masham Sheep Fair
have announced they will open for business as usual this weekend. The River Ouse
may have burst its banks but the majority of York businesses are trading as
normal including key tourist attractions such the National Railway Museum, the
Jorvik Viking Centre and the city’s popular Food and Drink festival. Hebden
Bridge, which has been repeatedly hit by the bad weather is open, and has an
exhibition highlighting the town’s strength during the recent poor weather at
the Heart Gallery. The nationally renowned Ilkley Literature Festival goes ahead
as normal as does the Helmsley Folk Weekend.
Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to
Yorkshire, said:
Yorkshire, like the rest of the country, has experienced extremely high rainfall this week however it doesn’t mean the entire county is closed - far from it. Festivals, towns and businesses are fighting back and it’s extremely important to get the message out there that Yorkshire is not a washout, where possible we are open for business ready and waiting with a warm Yorkshire welcome that won’t be beaten by the wet weather.
Westwood Lodge Ilkley Moor is open as usual. Local shops, roads and rail links are open and operating normally
