The Phoenix – May 2016
Page 15
ST GEORGES DAY CELEBRATIONS
T
he weather brought out its best face for the St George’s Day Parade in Sandwell, in the West Midlands, starting with a rendition of God Save The Queen in honour of Her Royal Highness’ 90th birthday. There was no St. George’s Day parade in Birmingham so this year’s colourful Stone Cross celebrations saw more than 3,000 family members, friends and ex-Servicemen, as well as the Northfield Caledonia Pipes & Drums, join the 1.8-mile morning walk to Dartmouth Park, in West Bromwich, to pay homage to the Patron Saint of England. England in My Heart campaign director, Eddie Bone,
made an impassioned plea for a national Bank Holiday in recognition of St George and an English national anthem, said; “Today is a day for England, not Scotland, Wales or Ireland.
We are the second lowest country in the world for Bank Holidays and have the fewest number in Europe so a Bank Holiday for St George’s Day would be great for pubs – and
there’s room for a date in the calendar.” The vast majority of the heaving crowd waved English ‘Red Cross’ flags as they also sang along a rendition of ‘Jerusalem’ – as well as ‘God Save The Queen’ during the parade. Among those who attended were veterans from the armed forces and the Royal British Legion and a special appearance by West Bromwich Albion’s Baggie Bird who posed for selfies with children along with Georgie The Dragon. One reveler, Mark Cowles, said; “It was a fantastic day at the Stone Cross St Georges Day Parade & Ride out for all I can say is ‘Thanks to all who attended.’ Yowm all were bostin."