IT might be the pomp. It might be the music. It might be because our summers are so fleeting. But there is nothing the English like better than a prom and a picnic in the park.

Open air concerts, climaxing in a fireworks display, have been staged for many years at some of North Yorkshire's top stately homes. They are hugely popular with English eccentrics of every hue.

We all recognise the aristocrats of the open air who bring practically an entire dining suite, complete with silver service cutlery. Dressed in dinner jackets and ball gowns, they are almost as entertaining as the orchestra.

On the neighbouring groundsheet could be one of the families who are making a grand affair out of a few sandwiches and a flask, cagoule and scarf to hand in case the weather turns.

This summer for the first time these scenes will be transferred from the grand country houses to grace York's common land on Knavesmire. It should be quite an occasion.

The concert does not come cheap. But the firework display will be free to anyone in the vicinity. And we should all be glad to see a return of fireworks to the city of Guy Fawkes.

Updated: 10:38 Tuesday, June 26, 2001