Free family celebration of St Georges Day
The St George’s Day celebration event is returning to Southwater Square in Telford next month and is shaping up to be bigger and bolder than last year with a chance to meet St George himself.
The event on Saturday, April 24, from 11am to 4pm will be themed around all things medieval and traditionally English with Morris Dancing, brass bands, dance and musical performances, falconry, themed arts and crafts and storytelling.
Activities will take place inside Telford Library, outside the Library in Southwater Square, outside Spout Farm House and on the grassed area opposite Southwater Lake.
Outside, the line-up includes Morris dancing with The Ironmen & Severn Guilders from Ironbridge. Performance times are at 11am, noon, 1.15pm and 2.15pm outside Telford Library.
Jackfield Brass Band will be playing music with an English theme at 11.30am and 1.45pm outside Telford Library and Woody’s One Man Band will be entertaining the crowds throughout the day.
Andy Hawkins of Creaky Knee Stories will be bringing his performance story telling to spectators both outside and in the library and St George himself will be mingling with the crowds.
This year the event will also include a selection of taster activities in support of the council’s Parks for People funding application, a joint initiative between the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery, which is currently being prepared for submission at the end of April.
The project looks to encourage people into the Town Park and will see it enhanced with new signage, trails, interpretation boards, picnic areas, learning zones and play activities; additional events, activities, training, and maintenance programmes.
Activities include a living history Viking encampment, heritage trail guided walks, archaeological site visit and treasure hunt and falconry displays.
Activities will be provided by the Small Woods Association, Access to Nature and Green Gym projects as well as displays from the Friends of Telford Town Park, RSPB and Shropshire Wildlife Trust.
Library activities will include promoting the libraries Community History collections with a display focusing on local myths and legends and the area of St Georges and an online quiz for families based on St George and dragons will also be held with books awarded as prizes.
Councillor Stephen Bentley, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, said: “This event was held for the first time last year attracting hundreds of people.
“We hope that even more people will attend this year’s event which is shaping up to be jam-packed full of entertainment and activities for the whole family.
“Although the event is about all things traditionally English, we had lots of positive feedback last year from residents from different cultures who said they had fun while learning more about English traditions.
“There really is something for everyone at this free event which we hope will be become an annual celebration day in the borough’s calendar.”
For further information about the St Georges day event visit www.telford.gov.uk/dragon