Latest news with #StGeorge'sFlag
Daily Mail
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Nigel Farage's plan to fly only the Union Jack at councils 'is a blow to support for war-torn Ukraine'
Reform UK came under fire for banning the Ukrainian flag from town halls. Nigel Farage 's party said it would only fly the Union Jack, St George's flag and county flags from the council buildings it controls. The party stormed to victory in ten local authorities in England at last week's local elections, including Durham, Lancashire and Staffordshire. Reform chairman Zia Yusuf said its councils 'will move at speed to resolve that the only flags to be flown on or in its buildings will be the Union Jack and St George's flag'. Writing on X, he added: 'No other flags will be permitted to be flown on its flagpoles, balconies, reception desks or council chamber walls.' The party later clarified that county flags would also be permitted. But Labour MP Mike Tapp urged Reform to drop their 'sickening' ban on flying the Ukrainian flag. 'As VE Day reminds us, Britain has a proud history of working with allies to defeat dictators and tyrants,' the former soldier, now MP for Dover and Deal, said. 'But while it is sickening, it should come as no surprise. Farage told us that Vladimir Putin is the world leader he most admires. 'Farage and Reform councillors should stop sucking up to Moscow and drop their ban on flying the Ukrainian flag.' Mr Farage was criticised last year for suggesting the West ' provoked' Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Sir Keir Starmer has previously accused Reform of 'fawning over Putin'. Before Reform's clarification, Labour and Tory MPs criticised that county flags would not be allowed to fly. Chris Webb, Labour MP for Blackpool South, said Reform was off to 'a great start' by 'banning' the Lancashire Rose from flying. A Reform spokesman said: 'Reform UK will proudly fly the Union Jack, St George's Flag and county flags. Unlike the Tories and Labour, we are proud of our country and history.'
Scottish Sun
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Everything you need to know about St George's Day 2025 – flag, dragon and traditions explained
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SAINT George's Day is a day of celebration across England, as people celebrate the history of the country. Normally celebrated on 23rd April each year, the date has been moved in 2025 for a very important reason. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 St George's Day is marked by many different exciting traditions Credit: Getty Images 3 Morris dancing is a big part of the St George's Day celebrations Credit: Getty Images The Story of St George The real St George was a Roman soldier born in the 3rd century AD. He was executed for refusing to renounce his Christian faith, making him a martyr and eventually leading to him being venerated as a saint. England adopted St George as its patron saint in the 14th century during the reign of King Edward III. He was chosen for his virtues of courage, honour, and chivalry, which resonated with medieval England. However, as time went by, myths and legends began being built around St George. The most famous tale about him follows his heroic rescue of a princess from a terrifying dragon. According to the tale, villagers routinely fed sheep to a dragon which lorded over their town. However, when they ran out of sheep, they decided to offer up their princess to the creature. Riding past on his horse, St George decided to step in and killed the dragon - setting the villagers and the Princess free. This story reached England in the 12th Century, during the Crusades, but actually dates all the way back to the 11th Century. It was originally set in Cappadocia, Turkey, but was later transferred to Libya in later myths. In the very first versions of the myth, which can be traced back to the 9th Century, St George's battle was actually attributed to St Theodore Trio. St George is now also the patron saint of Ethiopia, Georgia, and Portugal, and cities such as Freiburg, Moscow and Beirut. The St George's Flag The St George's Flag has been associated with England since the Middle Ages. GMB guest in furious row with Ed Balls and The Apprentice's Tom Skinner as they lock horns over St George's Day It was originally used by English soldiers during the Crusades and later became part of the Union Jack, along with Scotland and Northern Ireland's flags. The St George's Flag is a simple design consisting of a red cross on a white background. The red cross is representative of St George's cross, and the white background symbolises peace. Red was chosen as the colour of the iconic cross in order to represent bravery and strength. St George's Day Traditions in the UK St George's Day is one of the biggest celebrations on the UK calendar, with schools and churches across the country joining in the fun. Traditional activities include parades, church services, and flag-waving ceremonies. Some communities even host medieval fairs, complete with knights, reconstructions of the legendary dragon and storytelling. Morris dancing and Punch and Judy shows are especially popular, as much of the day focuses on celebrating England's long history. Pubs and restaurants also often offer themed menus and drinks. 3 The day is often marked by a speech from the sitting Prime Minister Credit: PA Media St George's Day in 2025 In 2025, St George's Day will not fall on Wednesday, 23 April, as it usually does. The holiday generally falls on the 23rd, as this is believed to have been the date of St George's death. In 2025, The Church of England has moved the annual feast day to April 28 as no saint's day can take place a week before or after Easter. Easter Sunday fell on April 20 in 2025. Prime Minister Keir Starmer chose to recognise St George's Day on April 23, despite the move, with a stirring speech. He said: 'Yet now – we can see people trying to sow division in our communities. "People taking the red and white of our flag with them as they throw bricks at businesses. 'That is what happened last year – in the riots. "And we must fight it. "Because it was the aftermath of the riots that showed what it means to be English. 'It marked the coming together of a country. "People who got together the morning after, all across Britain. "With shovels, brooms, and brushes, to clean up their communities. 'Rebuilding walls, repairing damage. "It's in that spirit that we reclaim our flag for our country. "For English decency, honour and fairness. 'Wrench it out of the hands of those who want to divide this nation. "And reclaim it for good.' St George's Day has been recognised as a national holiday in England since the early 15th century, though it is not recognised as a bank holiday.
The Irish Sun
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Everything you need to know about St George's Day 2025 – flag, dragon and traditions explained
SAINT George's Day is a day of celebration across England, as people celebrate the history of the country. Normally celebrated on 23rd April each year, Advertisement 3 St George's Day is marked by many different exciting traditions Credit: Getty Images 3 Morris dancing is a big part of the St George's Day celebrations Credit: Getty Images The Story of St George The real St George was a Roman soldier born in the 3rd century AD. He was executed for refusing to renounce his Christian faith, making him a martyr and eventually leading to him being venerated as a saint. England adopted St George as its patron saint in the 14th century during the reign of King Edward III. He was chosen for his virtues of courage, honour, and chivalry, which resonated with medieval England. Advertisement However, as time went by, myths and legends began being built around St George. The most famous tale about him follows his heroic rescue of a princess from a terrifying dragon. According to the tale, villagers routinely fed sheep to a dragon which lorded over their town. However, when they ran out of sheep, they decided to offer up their princess to the creature. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive Latest Riding past on his horse, St George decided to step in and killed the dragon - setting the villagers and the Princess free. This story reached England in the 12th Century, during the Crusades, but actually dates all the way back to the 11th Century. It was originally set in Cappadocia, Turkey, but was later transferred to Libya in later myths. In the very first versions of the myth, which can be traced back to the 9th Century, St George's battle was actually attributed to St Theodore Trio. Advertisement St George is now also the patron saint of Ethiopia, Georgia, and Portugal, and cities such as Freiburg, Moscow and Beirut. The St George's Flag The St George's Flag has been associated with England since the Middle Ages. GMB guest in furious row with Ed Balls and The Apprentice's Tom Skinner as they lock horns over St George's Day It was originally used by English soldiers during the Crusades and later became part of the Union Jack, along with Scotland and Northern Ireland's flags. The St George's Flag is a simple design consisting of a red cross on a white background. Advertisement The red cross is representative of St George's cross, and the white background symbolises peace. Red was chosen as the colour of the iconic cross in order to represent bravery and strength. St George's Day Traditions in the UK St George's Day is one of the biggest celebrations on the UK calendar, with schools and churches across the country joining in the fun. Traditional activities include parades, church services, and flag-waving ceremonies. Advertisement Some communities even host medieval fairs, complete with knights, reconstructions of the legendary dragon and storytelling. Morris dancing and Pubs and restaurants also often offer themed menus and drinks. 3 The day is often marked by a speech from the sitting Prime Minister Credit: PA Media Advertisement St George's Day in 2025 In 2025, St George's Day will not fall on Wednesday, 23 April, as it usually does. The holiday In 2025, The Church of England has moved the annual feast day to April 28 as no saint's day can take place a week before or after Easter. Easter Sunday fell on April 20 in 2025. Advertisement Prime Minister Keir Starmer chose to recognise St George's Day on April 23, despite the move, with a stirring speech. He said: 'Yet now – we can see people trying to sow division in our communities. "People taking the red and white of our flag with them as they throw bricks at businesses. 'That is what happened last year – in the riots. Advertisement "And we must fight it. "Because it was the aftermath of the riots that showed what it means to be English. 'It marked the coming together of a country. "People who got together the morning after, all across Britain. Advertisement "With shovels, brooms, and brushes, to clean up their communities. 'Rebuilding walls, repairing damage. "It's in that spirit that we reclaim our flag for our country. "For English decency, honour and fairness. Advertisement 'Wrench it out of the hands of those who want to divide this nation. Read more on the Irish Sun "And reclaim it for good.' St George's Day has been recognised as a national holiday in England since the early 15th century, though it is
