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St George fights back for England
20 April 2007 06:13
The English flag has for too long been hijacked by political extremists with unsavoury aims. Now it is being reclaimed in the name of true national pride. The renaissance will reach a climax on Monday, St George's Day, as STEVE DOWNES reports.
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Flying the flag is something that the likes of France, the USA and Australia never tire of doing.
In England, however, the cross of St George has long been associated with racists and xenophobes - leaving the general public too embarrassed to show their colours.
But fabled dragon slayer St George is biting back.
On Monday, April 23, which is St George's Day, there will be a host of celebratory events across East Anglia and the nation to mark what is effectively England's national day.
They will include red and white balloons being released, a beer, jazz and Morris dancing festival, and a St George's Day evensong service at Norwich Cathedral.
Other regional and national events include a search for a modern St George and Rose of England, best-dressed pub and house competition and a schools' poetry contest that has attracted 3,000 entries.
The big event, however, comes in the heart of London in the evening.
A silver gilt loving cup will be at the centre of a glittering dinner at the banqueting House in the city of Westminster - the final stop of a tour of England's 50 cities.
Lowestoft-based organiser Bruno Peek said the cup, which began its journey in Norwich, had travelled 6,500 miles and been drunk from by 1,500 people as part of as crusade to unite all those who “love England”.
The tour is a grand version of a feast table ceremony that dates back more than 1,000 years.
He said: “The tour has been brilliant. We are already planning dates for next year. We've had people of all races and religions taking part. We've achieved our aim of encouraging anyone who calls England their home to celebrate with us.”
Mr Peek also made a rallying call to people across the nation to take part in another ceremony on Monday to mark the patron saint's day.
He wants everyone to stop what they are doing at 10.45pm, pick up a drink - of anything from hot chocolate to lemonade to beer - and cry “England and St George!”
Mr Peek said he wanted the national toast to be an annual event.
He said the renaissance of flying the English flag was particularly noticeable during last year's football world cup, and he added that people would not be put off by “a few idiots” who wanted to “spoil our fun”.
The St George's Day events in the region include:
an evensong service at Norwich Cathedral at 5pm, organised by the Norwich Trafalgar branch and the Royal Society of St George
a celebration at Blakeney's harbour room, featuring the Cromer Smugglers and the Old Wild Rovers. Tickets, costing £8, including a fish and chip supper, are available from Gary Mears on 01263 741018
hundreds of red and white balloons will be released by pupils at Wicklewood Primary School, near Wymondham
a ploughman's supper at Bunwell village hall at 7.30pm. Tickets priced at £2.50 available from 01953 788892
a beer, jazz and Morris dancing festival, with real ale, cider and a barbecue at the White Horse at Chedgrave from midday to 11pm
celebrations in Thurton village hall from 10am-2pm - including children's games
at All Saints Church, Stradbroke, near Eye, cream teas will be served at the top of the tower, in a bid to win a prize for the most unusual and original venue for an afternoon tea.
East Anglia has become the unofficial headquarters of the campaign to celebrate St George's Day in recent years.
In 2005, Norwich pub landlord Tony Bennett lost a high court appeal over his attempt to open longer on April 23.
The appeal came after Norwich magistrates rejected his application on the grounds that there was no national celebration and it was not a bank holiday.
For more information about the St George's Day events visit the website www celebratestgeorgesday com.
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