With a parade through the city centre, a special patriotic market and community events across the city, Manchester is holding St George’s Day celebrations to make England’s patron saint proud.
Manchester's celebrations for St George's Day, which is on Thursday 23 April, begin almost a week earlier on Friday 17 April with the opening of the St George's Day Market in Piccadilly Gardens. Open daily 10.00am - 5.30pm until Sunday 19 April, the market offers a selection of local crafts and gifts including artwork, jewellery and glass wear, while the stall run by the St George's Day committee will be decked out in traditional English bunting, and will be selling St George novelties.
The market is also the ideal place for spectators of the St George's Day Parade on Sunday 19 April to get some refreshments with a variety of food stalls on offer.
The sixth annual St George's Day Parade begins at Varley Street at 11.30am in Miles Platting, before traveling along Oldham Road and Oldham Street to Piccadilly Gardens, where the Lord Mayor of Manchester will take a salute, before continuing on to Newton Street. Great Ancoats Street, Oldham Road, Butler Street, Bradford Street and back on to Varley Street for the finish.
The parade in all its splendour will see the Lord Mayor joined by Henry VIII and his six wives, Queen Victoria and St George himself along with his knights. Pipe, Brass and Samba bands will add to the atmosphere as will an array of floats from the local community. The Manchester Morris Men will be dancing their way along the streets, along with a group of belly dancers and there will also be Rose Queens, Army Veterans on top of the museum bus and shire horses.
Councillor Jim Battle, Deputy Leader for Manchester City Council said: "The St George's Day Parade is an extremely popular event in the city's calendar and we must thank the committee, who work so hard to make this spectacle happen. We've lots planned to celebrate St George's Day across the city and look forward to seeing local people and visitors alike joining in the festivities."
Communities across North Manchester have also planned a number of activities in honour of St George.
The St George's Tea Dance and Party at the Simpson Memorial Hall on Moston Lane is a free event on Saturday 18 April 1pm - 4pm sponsored by United Utilities. Suitable for all ages, traditional afternoon tea will be accompanied by entertainment from Circus Zaparelli.
On Tuesday 21 April, NEPHRA over 50s Luncheon Club at Parkfield Dance Centre in Dance Centre will serve up a traditional roast dinner 12noon - 1.30pm. New members are welcome and the cost is under £5. Later in the day the Dance Centre will then host a traditional English country dance 6.30pm - 7.30pm (£1 per person).
A St George's Tea Dance and Supper will be held at Glenbrook Christian Fellowship Hall Higher Blackley on Saturday 25 April 7pm - 10.30pm. Entry is free but places are limited so please call 0161 682 5274 if you would like to attend.
On St George's Day itself (Thursday 23 April) The Manchester College Café will be serving a line-up of favourite English lunches including Lancashire Hotpot, Fish and Chips, Vegetable Wellington and Apple Pie , whileThe Stables Café at Heaton Park and the Lakeside Café at Boggart Hole Clough in Blackley will be offering a 10% discount to anyone called George.
A display at North City Library will display the works of some of the country's most popular authors from Austen and Dickens to Zadie Smith. For more information visit www.jackstgeorge.bravehost.com
For North Manchester events contact Cath Keane on 0161 655 7860. For more Manchester City Council information visit www.manchester.gov.uk