This year the Stone Cross St Georges Day Parade will take place on Sunday 22nd April in the Midland’s town of West Bromwich.
What started off 14 years ago with a handful of flag bearing local patriots, dodging traffic on their way to a local pub – has turned into England’s (and the worlds) biggest St George’s Day parade and a fun packed, family day out.
The parade now boasts an attendance of over 25,000 people, who parade two miles through town to Dartmouth Park where a giant fete is held.
This year the Royal British Legion Motorcycle sectionwill be in attendance with over 100 motorcycles forming a guard of honour into the park. Serving and veteran members of the armed forces will lay a wreath at the cenotaph on behalf of the fallen.
After wreath laying the fun begins. Premier League Football Club West Bromwich Albion will send along their mascots Baggie and Albi Bird to entertain the Children along with our own mascot Georgie the Dragon.
There will be a wide variety of stalls and events, including a falconry display, Morris dancers, re-enactments, bouncy castles, craft stalls, live music and dance all put on. Centre stage this year is that icon of England the Spitfire.
Stone Cross Parade organisers: Mark Cowles, Mark Whitehouse and Lynne Whitehouse
All this is completely free of charge for those who attend.
However it’s anything but free to set up and run. Every year the organisers battle heroically to raise the £14,000 required to stage the event. Costs include road closures, over 120 security personal as well as insurance, band and attraction fees. All money is used to fund the Parade. and no money is taken or asked for by any of the organisers who say their reward is ‘seeing thousands of English men, women and children’s faces light up when they show the world, yes we’re English and proud of it’.
The organisers steer well clear of politics be it from the left, right or centre, the parade is purely a cultural event and celebration of Englishness.
The event is funded a variety of local businesses, the Steadfast Trust and the donations of individuals. But every year is a struggle so please help keep the parade on the road by making a donation.
Find out more and get regular updates from the Stone Cross St George website.
