Rushden Research Group: St George's Day 2010

The Evening Telegraph, 26th April, 2010, transcribed by Gill Hollis

By George, What a Great Success

By David Trayner

Dragons descended on the north of the county as two towns held their first ever St. George’s Day parades.

Hundreds of people turned out to see dragons and St. Georges parade through the streets of Wellingborough and Rushden on Saturday.

A mural of St. George and the dragon painted by pupils from eight primary schools was unveiled outside the Independent Wesleyan Church at the celebrations in Rushden. Rushden’s St. George, played by entertainer Sir Lupin of Pipwithers, said: “I was told there was a dangerous dragon in Rushden. I was asked to come and fight the dragon by the lady mayor, but I was somewhat surprised by its size.”

The Eighth Rushden Salvation Army Scouts made the 10ft-long dragon to help them raise funds for a trip to New York.

Children made Wellingborough’s dragon from cling film and carried it in the parade dressed in home-made cardboard dragon outfits. Elliott Saunders, 17, of Gold Street, walked with the children dressed as St. George. Elliott, a Wellingborough Museum volunteer, said: “It’s really important that we need to stay multi-cultural but we need to remember it’s the national day of England. We shouldn’t forget our history. We shouldn’t forget our identity.” Children danced around Maypoles at both events while Morris dancers and Viking and Saxon historical actors entertained the Wellingborough crowds. Families welcomed the celebration of traditional English culture. Martin Turner, of Tennyson Road, Rushden, whose daughter Katie, six, and son Owen, eight, had St. George’s flags painted on their faces, said: “The kids are enjoying themselves. We should definitely keep doing it. It shows a bit of pride in the country.” Charlie Jacobs, seven, of Wellingborough, said: “We have to celebrate it because it’s part of our history.”

A St George’s flag was raised above Wellingborough council offices for the first time. Peter Morrall, mayor of Wellingborough, said: “It’s a day of firsts for us. St. George is happening in Wellingborough.”