Ready to celebrate St George

Most towns and cities in the region have organised events to mark the day.

St George's Day is not until Monday but that has given people the excuse to hold a weekend of parties.

One of the biggest celebrations is being held in Sandwell on Sunday when thousands of people are expected to join the activities at Dartmouth Park in West Bromwich.

Last year more than 5,000 people turned out with banners, placards and fancy dress. A parade and festival on Sunday will feature a host of medieval entertainment, including troubadours and archers. Organised by Stone Cross St George's Day Association and Sandwell Council, the Forever England parade will start from Westminster Road in Stone Cross.

The parade is due to move off at 10.40am towards Dartmouth Park.

Householders living along the route are being urged to deck out their homes in red and white bunting – and a prize donated by the Express & Star will go to the best-decorated residence.

Tipton branch of the Royal British Legion will lead the parade and branch chairman John Bayliss said: 'This is a great honour. We hope to see many people out together having fun."

In the park, there will be a living history encampment and demonstrations from cooking to candle-making, weaving to arrow making, and ceramics to musical instruments.

Four hours of fun and activities will take place in Walsall's Palfrey Park on Saturday. The event begins at noon and attractions will include a guided walk, conservation trail, marching band, morris dancing, refreshments and a children's fairground.

St George will chase the dragon around the park in Dale Street.

Madeleine Holland, from Walsall Multi Faith Forum and the Standing Together Against Racism programme, said: "We have a jam-packed programme of fun and entertainment planned to celebrate St George's Day.

"In previous years we have had fun, made a difference and want to do it again this year but only better. I would like to thank everyone for their support and I look forward to seeing a great crowd on Saturday."

Elsewhere, singing groups and entertainers will be celebrating St George's Day with special events, including the Penn Singers performing with a 10-piece band at a concert called "This England" at Penn United Reformed Church on Saturday. And, for people looking for a tipple to help wash down the celebrations, there is also a local St George's Day wine on offer to try.

Grape growers at Halfpenny Green Vineyards in Bobbington have brought out a special range in tribute to St George.

Brian Deval, who markets wine from the family-run business, said: "Everyone is always so keen to celebrate St Patrick's Day and it really is time we became more patriotic and English.

"Steadily I think there is a change afoot, and people are beginning to take more pride in St George's Day but this needs to be encouraged."

Mr Deval described the Halfpenny Green wines as a good bodied and flavoursome variety each with a distinctive flavour.

Bottles are sold in farmers' markets at the farm shop and by Waitrose supermarket.

Mr Deval said they would make perfect gifts for April 23 and added: "As our climate improves so do the wines and there is no reason why everyone shouldn't enjoy and buy English wines."

Your guide to the big weekend

BIRMINGHAM

Saturday: St George's Day event 'Celebrating England' concert taking place at Birmingham's Symphony hall from noon. Compered by historian and Express & Star columnist Carl Chinn, it will feature some of the region's top massed choirs.

Saturday & Sunday: St George's Day festival in Birmingham city centre squares between 11am and 4pm. Family fun days with live entertainment and English foods.

SANDWELL

Sunday: Sandwell Council and Stone Cross St George's Day Association lead the St George's Day Parade, leaving Westminster Road at 10.40am and arriving at Dartmouth Park at 11.45.

Sunday: St George's Day Medieval Party at Dartmouth Park between noon-5pm. Attractions include medieval living history encampments with tentage; knights; squires; ladies and combat; George and Dragon puppet theatre; dressing the knight; archery with a chance for the public to have a go. There will be Morris dancing from Bedcote Morris as well as the traditional brass band music provided by Langley Band. Poetry Wednesbury will also be reading their latest literary works.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Saturday: Cannock Chase Orpheus Male Voice Choir will be performing a range of patriotic music at Perton Civic Centre from 7.30pm, featuring soloists Cheryl Hockman and Paul Ford.

Saturday: Penn Singers will be performing a celebration of St George's Day at Penn United Reformed Church. The concert called This England, which features a 10-piece band, is being held to raise cash for the Beacon Centre for the Blind.

Saturday: Chad Singers will have a 'Last Night of the Proms' finale at 7.30pm in the village hall, Pattingham. Proceeds to Penn Hall Special School.

Monday: Wolverhampton's Queen Square and Dudley Street. A number of activities have been arranged including the Eric Sinclair Regal Brass Band playing traditional music in the city centre from noon-2pm.

In the city centre from 11am there will be entertainment from well known local musician and DJ, Jim Duncan, plus Joe Davies and the popular Lady Wulfruna Organ and a great British sausage giveaway over lunchtime.

The Mayor is hosting a St George's Day indoor street party' to raise funds for his selected charities in the Mayoral Suite when a Mummers Play will be performed by pupils from Trinity Church of England Primary School. City organist, Steve Tovey, will also present music and lead guests in patriotic songs. Mayoral celebration starts at 10.30am. Tickets are priced at £7 per person which includes a two course lunch and are available from the Mayor's Office, Third Floor, Civic Centre.

Monday: Dorothy Baruch, Jeff Phelps and Emma Purshouse will be sharing their thoughts and others' writings at Spring Vale Library, Bevan Avenue, from 7pm. The event is free.

Monday: Senior Citizens' Dancing Club, Bilston. Red and White Afternoon, Springvale Social Club, Millfields Lane from 12.30pm.

WALSALL

Friday: 1940s themed party with fish and chip supper at St Michael's Church Hall in Pelsall from 7.30pm.

Saturday: Gathering at the flag pole on Pelsall common at 11am. Ward councillor Clive Ault to dress as St George and arrive on horse back. Pelsall 1st and 3rd Scouts, Pelsall 1st Rainbows and Pelsall 3rd Guides will parade at the flag pole before hoisting the flag of St George. Balloons and England flags to be handed out. Free

Saturday: Patriotic market traders in Walsall will put the flags out to celebrate. Stall holders will wear red and white clothes and dress up their stalls with traditional bunting and flags to mark St George's Day. Families are invited to visit the market and there will be children's activities including face-painting. Free

Four hours of fun and activities will take place in Walsall's Palfrey Park to mark St George's Day, Starting at noon. Attractions will include a guided walk, conservation trail, marching band, morris dancing, refreshments and a children's fairground.

Sunday: Walsall scouts will help launch an afternoon of celebrations at St Matthew's Church. The Rev Colin Gibson will lead a short service from 2.30pm and spectators can enjoy a sea of colour as borough beavers, cubs, scouts and explorer scouts assemble outside. Free

STOURBRIDGE

Saturday: Parade from 11am through the High Street led by St George on horseback. Beacon Radio will host music and dance and a variety of games from under the town clock at the bottom of High Street. Meanwhile, youngsters will get the chance to have a ride on the Thomas the Tank Engine land train that will be running in Coventry Street.

The Ryemarket will host entertainers, including Mad Dominic, who will wow the crowds with clowning, juggling and balloon modelling.

A traditional tea dance is being held in the town hall from 1pm to 3pm. Story telling sessions for youngster in the former Olan Mills shop in the Crown Centre from 10am to 4pm.

KIDDERMINSTER

Sunday: Scouts and Guides St George's Day parade in Kidderminster starting at 9.30am from New Road.

People taking part in the parade will make their way through the town centre towards the Glades leisure centre where a service will be held to celebrate St George's Day. The parade will then form again at about 11.45am and make its way back to New Road. Temporary road closures are being put in force and these will affect New Road, Bridge Street, Oxford Street, Vicar Street, High Street, Worcester Street, Blackwell Street, Coventry Street and Bromsgrove Street. Motorists are being asked to avoid the town centre area between 9.30am and 1pm.

CANNOCK

Saturday Cannock Market St George's Day celebrations from 10.30am.

STAFFORD

Saturday: St George's Day celebration in Market Square, Stafford from 11am to 4pm. Medieval entertainment and a St George and dragon. Free.

Monday - Burston, near Stafford - The Greyhound pub, Stafford Morris Men performance, 8pm. Free. Salt, near Stafford - The Hollybush Inn, Stafford Morris Men performance, 8pm. Free.

LICHFIELD

Saturday: Colton Village Hall, Colton near Rugeley. St George's Fundraising Dinner All 80 tickets sold out.

Monday: Guildhall, Bore Street, Lichfield. St George's Day Court, noon. Ancient memorial court now held in a light-hearted manner. Free admission.