St George's Day Celebrations
Released: 15 April 2008
St George’s Day will be celebrated in Wolverhampton with a range of fun events aimed at all the family.
The fun on Wednesday, April 23, begins in Market Square where shoppers can enjoy patriotic music from the Imperial Brass Band, city organist Steve Tovey and Joe Davies and the Lady Wulfruna vintage organ.
Further entertainment will be provided by the Alchemy Street Entertainers while youngsters from Goldthorn Park Primary School will put on a performance.
Traditional English sausages supplied by a local butcher will also be handed out, along with red roses especially for female visitors.
The event, which coincides with market day, is free and runs from 11am to 2pm. Jim Duncan will be acting as compere.
The celebrations have been organised by the outdoor events team from Wolverhampton City Council’s Civic Halls. Manager Mark Blackstock said: “We’ll be marking St George’s Day in Wolverhampton with a series of family events which we hope everyone will enjoy."
At the same time, Wolverhampton's Mayor, Councillor Trudy Bowen will host a special fund-raising lunch of traditional English food at her parlour in the Civic Centre, starting at 12.30pm.
Organist Steve Tovey, fresh from playing at Market Square, will be on hand to play more patriotic tunes, and all money raised will go to her chosen charities: Khandel Light, SSAFA Forces Help and The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust’s Rheumatology Outpatient Department.
Tickets costing £7 are available by calling 01902 554090 or 554091 or emailing mayoral@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
Wolverhampton Art Gallery is also inviting people to drop in on the national day of celebration and find out more about St George. Visitors will be able to see objects showing representations of England’s patron saint, along with other quintessentially English items from the gallery’s collection.
This event runs from 12.30pm to 1pm and is free - simply turn up on the day.
Meanwhile library staff will be marking St George’s Day by celebrating the poetry and plays of William Shakespeare, who was born on the same day.
People will be able to enjoy favourite poems and speeches presented by the Central Poetry Readers' Group - and they are also invited to bring along their own favourite short pieces to share.
The event will be held at the newly refurbished Alan Garner Centre, next to Central Library, at Old Hall Street, Wolverhampton, from 7.30pm. Admission is free.
Issued by the press office.