Town set for St George’s parade

Sedgley will host this year’s annual celebrations for St George’s Day in Dudley borough. The town will mark the anniversary of England’s patron saint on April 26 and it is hoped that thousands of merrymakers will throng the streets.

A programme of entertainment has is lined up featuring music, dancing and drama. The highlight of the event will be a spectacular parade through the streets. Bunting will decorate shops and homes and Dudley council leader and Sedgley ward councillor David Caunt hopes there will be a good turnout of local people.

He said: “As a local councillor I am extremely happy that we have been able to attract this annual festival to Sedgley.

“The St George’s Day parade is one of the most popular and entertaining events of the year, and it year promises to be even bigger and better than ever.

“We hope that residents, shoppers, shopkeepers and people from across the borough will come along to Sedgley and join in the fun.”

This year’s celebrations follow a successful parade in Stourbridge last year.

A parade through the town was led by a St George on horseback, played by Knights of Mercia re-enactor Carl Hodgetts.

Youngsters from primary schools in the area paraded with a giant dragon, alongside the mayor of Dudley, uniformed organisations and other officials. Patriotic songs were then performed by singer Maggie O’Hara.

The 2008 celebration will involve several road closures throughout the town, but the exact route is still being planned.

The festivities will be discussed by the North Dudley area committee at 6.30pm on January 30 at Lower Gornal Youth Academy in Temple Street

Members of the public are invited to the meeting to hear the proposals. Letters have been sent to traders outlining the proposals.