Patriotic Midlanders will take to the streets next month in a show of public spirit for English patron saint St George.
In the past the day has often gone largely unmarked compared to the traditional celebrations held in honour of St Patrick.
But this year organisers all over the region have drawn up a packed programme of events centred around April 23. The biggest will once again take place in Sandwell, where thousands are expected to turn out to a parade and fun day in Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich, on April 20.
Organisers hope visitors will surpass last year’s impressive total of 18,000.
In Dudley, a sea of red and white will be visible in the skies on April 26 when mayor David Stanley releases balloons.
A town crier and a 10ft knight will be helping with the festivities, which include a sing-a-long with Maggie O’Hara. War re-enactment specialists Drudian will be staging realistic mock battles between armour-clad knights armed with swords and shields.
The Black Country Museum will be joining in the fun with a mobile parlour, where staff will be on hand to talk to people about how people lived years ago, and Sedgley Morris Men will also be performing.
Visitors to Stafford Castle on April 27 can dress up in armour like the patron saint himself and children can take part in dragon-making workshops.
In Wolverhampton, a brass band will line the streets on April 23 as part of the celebrations. City mayor Trudy Bowen will also be hosting a fundraising lunch of traditional English food in her parlour where organist Steve Tovey will play patriotic songs.
Tim Clark, spokesman for Wolverhampton City Council, said: “There will be a giveaway of traditional English sausages supplied by a local butcher and red roses to female visitors.
“Children from Goldthorn Park Primary will be putting on a performance and the Lady Wulfruna Organ will also entertain the crowd.
“The festivities will take place in Market Square and it is a market day. We hope traders will also get into the spirit of the occasion.”
Celebrations lined up
St George’s Day celebrations taking place around the region include:
WOLVERHAMPTON – Market Square, city centre, April 23: Brass band, sausage and rose giveaway, Wulfruna organ and school pupils performance; Mayor’s parlour: fundraising lunch of English food.
WALSALL – town centre, April 19: Celebrations for all the family. Pelsall, April 20, 2.15pm: Scouts parade through High Street.
SANDWELL – Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich, parade and family fun day
DUDLEY – Town centre, April 26: Balloon release with mayor of Dudley, sing-a-long with Maggie O’Hara and war re-enactment. The Black Country Museum, Tipton Road: History talks and Morris Men. Sedgley Library, Ladies Walk: Colouring competition, quiz, baby and toddler rhyme session and poetry.
STAFFORD – Stafford Castle, April 27, 11am-4pm: Dress up in armour, dragon-making workshops
KIDDERMINSTER – Town centre, April 27: Scouts and guides to parade through streets.
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13 Comments
Well lets hope the livvy livered PC do gooders in this country allow us to be proud to be English. I will always be English and proud. Its about time we English were allowed to be patriotic, fly our flag in our own country without being called right wing or racist.
At last, the English have something to celebrate!
wonder who we will offend this time might be the german sheoherd association
Excellent News - but why does there seem to be no Scouts and Guides march in Wolverhampton on St Georges day ?
yes,& a messaage to gordon brown & his british day.i am not british,i am english,end of story,so you can shove it.
About bloody time!!!! Enough said
I know its hard for the media to get there facts right but can some one put me in the picture!!
Dudley Council site is saying that the “Dudley” St Georges celebrations will be held at
Sedgley on the 26th??
The article above does not mention it being held at Sedgley ?
Brilliant, a day to remember a Spaniard who is the Patron Saint of England.
Still, we aren’t the only ones with a non-native saint.
did you do history at school no.8,st george was turkish not spanish and the romans lobbed his head off
plus the emperors wife for turning to christianity,now we got that sorted let every english man and woman enjoy april 23rd and it’s william shakespears birthday as well a double celebration,the greats of england king john lionheart,robin hood lord of huntington,sir winston churchill pm,thomas telford first iron bridge,all the england team 1966,so fly your st georges flags filled of pride,have a great day everybody,it’s the only day we can say we’re english without being racist or offending anyone.
9 well said m8 but i wish to add our Armed Forces to that list, we have the best in the world
NOT ST ANDREW ?
NOT ST DAVID ?
ITS ST GEORGE [ENGLAND]
Thought St George was Greek??
I NEVER SHOOK HANDS WITH HIM no/12
BUT IF IT GETS ME A DAY OFF WORK
WITH PAY THEN I THANK YOU ???