23-04-2025
St George's Day: The Midlands celebrates the patron saint of England
St George's Day celebrations have been taking place across the region, to celebrate the patron saint of England.
In Nottingham, the day was marked with what's considered to be the biggest England flag in the country, outside the Council House in Market Square. The flag measures sixty by thirty feet.
A celebration was also held at one of the city's oldest pubs, Ye Olde Salutation Inn, which is thought to date back to around 1240.
The Royal Society of St George held their annual party with flags, music and bunting on display, as part of the day's events to mark English history, culture and heritage.
The 23rd April is the anniversary of St George's death.
Even though St George never stepped foot on English soil, history says he heroically ended up slaying a dragon, and rescued a princess from being eaten. And in their gratitude, the people of the town converted to Christianity.
St George is England's patron saint, and is shared with other places like Ethiopia, Catalonia, Aragon, Bulgaria, Russia and Portugal.
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People celebrating St George's Day in Nottingham shared their views about celebrating the patron saint.
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Elsewhere, students across the region dressed up to mark the day. Little Trinity Nursery in Kidderminster painted shields and swords adorned with the English flag.
Nursery Manager Gaynor Carter said:
'The children were incredibly imaginative, and it was wonderful to see them engage with the story of St George.
'Celebrating this day allowed us to participate in a national tradition and instil a sense of pride and history in the little ones.'
Meanwhile visitors at Oak House Museum in West Bromwich dressed up for the occasion.
And later tonight (23rd April), the exterior façade of the Library of Birmingham will be lit up red and white to mark St. George's Day.
