Celebrations for brave St George
Patriotic Midlanders will take to the streets next month in a show of public spirit for English patron saint St George.
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.
