St George's Day Birmingham - 25th April 2009

Fun, frolics, fighting and capers was the order of the day in Birmingham as thousands of people celebrated St George's Day. A craft and farmer's market in New Street provided an opportunity for visitors to buy unusual gifts and fresh produce.
In Victoria Square the Radio WM roadshow provided a variety of acts. A beer tent and pig-roasts added to the atmosphere. In Chamberlain Square traditional entertainment was provided by various Morris sides including the Jockey Men's Morris, Glorishears, and more. Just see below.
Thes sun shone which made the day just perfect.

Earlsdon Morris Men band and dancers in Chamberlain Square.

Earlsdon Morris provide a floral display.

Fiddlesticks perform a garland dance.

Fiddlesticks dancers exit after one of their performances. The large audience in Chamberlain Square was remarkable considering that just round the corner in Victoria Square....

.... crowds of people were watching the acts on the Radio WM stage.

One of the main acts of the day was The Fab Beatles who looked and sounded like the Fab Four.

A huge smoking, multi-coloured dragon oversaw the proceedings from the front of the Council House.

Back to the traditional entertainment in Chamberlain Square, and the arrival of The Knights of Middle England.

This damsel was not in distress until the arrival of the knights, one of whom kidnapped her.

St George on his horse just before leaving.

STONE CROSS St GEORGE PARADE 19th April 2009.

Today the Stone Cross St George Association demonstrated that the English can celebrate St George's day with a peaceful and very enjoyable procession. Billed as controversial, and distanced from by Sandwell Council, funding was provided by businessman Chris Kelly and hence the opportunity for the 10th St George's Day procession in West Bromwich to go ahead. The parade started from Stone Cross, West Bromwich and finished at Dartmouth Park. Apart from celebrating St George, the dead of the two World Wars were remembered as were those members of our forces still serving in conflict overseas.
One of the organizers, Nick Clorley told me an estimated 15,000 people had turned out for the occasion. Even an improvement in the weather allowed the sun to shine on the righteous!
Wake up England!!!

The lodge house at Dartmouth Park adorned with St George's flags.

The Cenotaph in Dartmouth Park.

Before the procession, it's posing time for the veterans, members of various branches of the Royal British Legion.

... and on the other side of the road with the Crown and Cushion public house providing part of the background.

A suitably bedecked buggy for one of the spectators.

Revellers arriving.

Bob Langley directs the marching bands and the veterans into the display area.

The Northfield Caledonia Pipes & Drums. See http://www.ncpb.co.uk

The veterans arrive.

More marchers arrive, suitably attired for the occasion.

Pipers in the park.

Standards are lowered as a bugler plays "The Last Post".

Organizer Nick Clorley thanks the procession's participants and other groups who helped on the day.

The Union Flag is raised, other standards are lowered as the salute is taken for the National Anthem.

.... crowds in the background join in the National Anthem.

All quiet on the West Midland's front?

True, I have taken 100s of photographs lately yet I have not posted any. Two reasons.. 1/ I've not had the time. 2/ Google Street View seems to be doing it for me. At first I suppose Google made me feel a bit redundant and then it dawned on me that I had inspired them, and that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. OK, a bit over the top maybe, but it made me feel better. I also know that Street View has not permeated some of the more undesirable areas of Brum, and they do not "do requests". So I will carry on.
Photos to appear over the next month or 2 will include some of St Patrick's Day parade (yes, plenty of other media photos available and at least I had the grace to keep out of the way of their photographers!), but balance is required and I hope to be at the West Brom St George's Day parade on the 19th April. No doubt there will be many complaints about the parade (by the English, as usual) and possibly some idiots will try and spoil it for the majority, but I will be there to see what happens.
Also some churches in Handsworth and St Aston Juxta. A few more higher quality photos of the back-to-back court in Birmingham, and a few of Digbeth. Watch out for an anorak with a camera wearing an anorak - he could be walking down your street any time!

Snygyst - "Goes where Street View fears to tread"

Victoria Society Newsletter.

The Spring 2009 Newsletter of The Victorian Society, Birmingham & West Midlands

Group is being printed and will be posted out to members at the weekend.

In the meantime please feel free to browse the digital version from the link below :

http://www.victorian-society-bham.org.uk/april2009.pdf

From Stephen Hartland