ST GEORGE RIDES IN!

Peterborough will be celebrating all things English to commemorate St George’s Day this year.

A special event’s being held on the newly-refurbished Cathedral Square on Sunday April 25 and promises visitors to the city centre a packed programme of entertainment.

St George, who is also the patron saint of the scouting movement, will ride into the city centre on his white horse to begin the event at 12 noon. His arrival’s been timed to coincide with the annual St George’s Day parade, which sees scouts and guides from around the city march into the city centre.

Peterborough City Council’s city operations team has organised the entertainment, which includes music from former Chas n Dave singer Chas and his Band, cockney singalong group Bull and Bush and local band Hooker. The city’s X-Factor star Nicole Lawrence, who narrowly missed out on a place in the ITV show’s 2009 final, will also be singing for the crowds.

Visitors can also expect to see Pearly Kings and Queens, Morris dancers, medieval re-enactments and a demonstration from a barber’s surgeon that’s not for the faint-hearted.

Classic car fans can also drool over Jaguars, Minis and Triumphs which will be on display along with an original London bus, from which food will be served. There’s nothing more English than tea so Harriet’s and Sundays will be keeping visitors well fed with typical English afternoon teas and a hog roast. There’s also a chance to pick up some fresh local produce at a Farmer’s Market.

Councillor Gavin Elsey, Peterborough City Council’s cabinet member for regional and business engagement, said – “This is the first time we’ve chosen to stage an event in honour of the patron saint of England. We held an Italian Festival last autumn, and will be staging a World Music event in September, so it seemed fitting to offer people the chance to celebrate all things English for St George’s Day.

“Peterborough is such a multicultural city and staging events such as this is a great way of attracting more visitors to the city, while at the same time helping people learn a little more about the traditions of our diverse community.”

Photo Nicole Lawrence: Terry Harris