Brummages.. (or What Is It Like Now?): St GEORGE'S DAY - BIRMINGHAM

This year we actually celebrated St George's Day on St George's Day (the 23rd). My first stop was to St Philips Cathedral where several events were scheduled to take place, but nothing was there. Outside the flag of St George flew, or rather flagged, there was no wind - but plenty of sunshine for the whole day.

Inside the cathedral was a montage explaining the origins of St George. Apart from several other countries, St George is the patron saint of scouting, soldiers, cavalry, chivalry, farmers, riders, saddlers, people living with leprosy, plague and skin disease!

Over to Victoria Square, and that's where it's all happening. Here, the Sovereign Brass Band entertain the crowds with some stirring patriotic music.

Although quiet at this time of the morning, the Purity Ale tent was later extremely busy quenching the thirsts of discerning drinkers in the unseasonally hot weather. More information about Purity Ales can be found HERE.

Contemporary folk band Suntrap entertained us and kept our feet tapping with many versatile arrangements of folk songs and music. Info, videos and pics HERE.

Trips on the open-top "Big Brum Buz" proved extremely popular today. I went on the inauguration trip last year which was even better (it was free!).

BBC Radio WM's presenters Jenny Wilkes and Bev Bevan compere the events of the day.

Back to more traditional entertainment, this time provided by Heage Windmillers Morris.

The Heage Windmillers again: A display of the traditional knot after a rapper sword dance.

Drummer Bev Bevan was an original member of The Move, and later he played with the ELO and Black Sabbath. At a ceremony a few days later, his star will be placed in the Broad Street Walk of Stars.