Photos by Frank Leppard and Vicki Couchman
A dragon, giants, knights, ladies and hooden horses could be seen parading through Ramsgate town yesterday (April 19) in a celebration to mark St George’s Day.
The parade, organised by St George’s Church and Great British Carnival with the Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board, followed a number of Easter Holiday workshops where participants made helmets, swords, shields, hearts, hobby horses, dragons and crowns.
The Parade, in its fourth year, formed up in the St George’ churchyard after a service and short traditional mumming play, ‘St George and the Dragon’
It then moved off with the contingent including giants, horses, dragons, princesses, drummers and, of course, St George himself.
The procession travelled along the pedestrianised High Street to the gates at the bottom of Harbour Street before u-turning back to the church.
The event was followed by a free community lunch in St George’s Church and a celebration of Ramsgate securing ‘Pride in Place’ funding of £20m over a 10-year period with an exhibition of ‘Bring It to Life’ projects showing the vision of different Ramsgate people and organisations.
These included community art, audio displays, film, music and performances. Residents also met the Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board to hear about the new community vision and plan. There was also a new magazine produced by local youth, alongside a new community song and performances.
Key speakers—including Bernie Morgan (Chair of the Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board), Teresa Askew (Artistic Director of Great British Carnival), and Polly Billington MP—shared their pride in the town and their shared enthusiasm for the Pride in Place programme.
Teresa Askew has today (April 20) been invited to attend an official St George’s Day reception at 10 Downing Street.
Most of the Bring it to Life project displays will be on show at the church until 5 May.
Teresa Askew said: “We are delighted to work with St George’s Church again to help create another St George’s Day Spring Parade event for the town. Teaming up with the Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board makes this year even more special as we help celebrate the new Pride in Place vision.
“St George’s Day is celebrated throughout the world. In England, he became a symbol of bravery. In Portugal and Malta, people looked to him for protection. In Lithuania and Ukraine, he is honoured as a strong and protective saint and in Spain, especially in Catalonia, people celebrate him with books and roses every year. In Georgia, his name and story are deeply respected. He stands for courage, kindness and standing up for others.”
Bernie Morgan, Chair of the Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board said: “We are thrilled to celebrate Ramsgate’s Vision and Plan alongside such a joyful, community-led event. The Pride in Place Programme funding is all about backing our local community, and by partnering with St George’s and GB Carnival, we are demonstrating what active, visible inclusivity can be for our town.”
Jemima Brown, Regeneration Officer for St George’s Church said: “Now in Year 4 of Project 200, our 5-year regeneration project, the Church and Hall continue to be the focus for lots of activity which brings the community together, with the shop and the weekly meal putting St George’s at the heart of the community in the Town Centre.
“The primary purpose of Project 200 is to ensure that residents and visitors from all walks of life can enjoy St George’s for multiple uses.”
Cllr Rick Everitt, Leader of Thanet District Council, added: “The incredible turnout for the fourth annual St George’s Spring Parade shows exactly why Ramsgate is so special. Thanet District Council is delighted to support the Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board in delivering the Pride in Place programme.”
A bit early for April 23rd.
Not too early for people who work on Thursdays or go to school
they came out in force for this one , and the morris dancers can always be relied upon to make total fools of themselves , what would we do without them ?