Patriotic Brummies celebrate St George’s Day

Apr 28 2008 By Poppy Brady

IN glorious spring sunshine, patriotic Brummies enjoyed all that makes England great with one of the finest St George’s Day celebrations in the country.

Many hearts were stirred by Elgar’s beautiful music as it resounded around Victoria Square with both young and old clutching red roses, listening proudly to the City of Birmingham Brass Band.

Behind them a giant inflatable pink dragon breathing smoke spent the afternoon gobbling giggling children as they disappeared through his teeth and down a slide.

Medieval England lived alongside the 21st century with demonstrations of the ancient hurdy gurdy musical instrument, a coin maker from the Middle Ages, a carousel and a heavily visited wine tent, offering taster sessions from Halfpenny Green Vineyard.

Melvyn Haigh, vice chairman and festival organiser on behalf of the Birmingham St George’s Day Association, said: "We have had a lot more people here this year which is testament to what a popular event this has become.

"We believe these are the best St George’s Day celebrations in the country.

"It’s a wonderful free family day for people enjoy the best of England right at its heart - here in Birmingham."

Great grandmother Alice Willetts, aged 85, from Handsworth Wood, said: "It’s a wonderful event. I am blind but I particularly enjoy listening to the music as it brings back many memories for me."

In Chamberlain Square a line-up of dance acts from Morris Men, to clog dancers, short and long sword dancers and maypole dancers kept visitors smiling.

One of the country’s top modern folk bands Show of Hands, topped the bill during the afternoon, along with the Fab Beatles, a popular tribute band to the 1960s pop icons.

But the climax of the day belonged in Symphony Hall where a sell-out Celebrating England concert was hosted by Birmingham Mail columnist and historian Prof Carl Chinn.

It brought together the pomp and circumstance of all things English with performers such as the Birmingham Icknield Male Voice Choir, The Sovereign Brass Band, Birmingham Festival Choral Society and organiser Darren Hogg.