Whitworth turns out for St George celebration

Photo: Mike Burgess

The Whitworth 2017 St George's Procession

Whitworth held its celebration of England’s patron saint, St George, on Sunday.

The early afternoon procession along a section of Market Street saw a good turnout and was blessed with sunny weather.

Those processing included St George himself, accompanied by themost ferocious looking dragon (operated by young people from Whitworth Brownies and Guides).

Other participants included the Mayor of Whitworth, Madeline De Souza and members of the town’s various uniformed organisations, Whitworth’s famous Vale & Healey Brass Band, and the members of the Rossendale Mummers in their ‘Summer Play’ costumes.

There followed a Service of Celebration at the Riverside, Whitworth's Civic Hall, and singing led with great gusto by John Alexander the Singing Jeweller.

The service included a performance of the traditional ‘Summer Play’ play by the Rossendale Mummers, and the winners of the children’s colouring competition were announced. All four Whitworth primary schools took part along with local children’s groups, resulting in hundreds of entries. The eventual winners were as follows:

• Isabella Robinson aged four from Our Lady and St Anselm’s Primary
• Todd Bradshaw aged seven from 41st Whitworth Beavers
• Georgia Woodruff aged seven from 3rd Whitworth Brownies
• Ryan Hampson aged 10 from St Bartholomew’s Primary

Councillor David Chorlton, Chairman of the Tourism and Leisure Committee, said: “Once again the people of Whitworth came out in force to support the St George’s Day procession.

"The hall was full for the service and I must offer sincere thanks to John the Singing Jeweller for his wonderful assistance leading the singing.

"On behalf of the committee I offer sincere thanks to all who turned up to enjoy the event, and also to those who assisted on the day including the youth from Whitworth Guides and brownies, marshals, Rossendale Mummers, the Riverside staff, the Band, Lancashire Fire and Rescue and our local uniformed organisations and schools.”