Flag raised in Rochdale to commemorate St George's Day

To commemorate St George’s Day, the Saint George’s Cross flag was raised at Rochdale Town Hall.

The Mayor and Mayoress, Ian and Christine Duckworth, Tony Lloyd MP, councillors, Shawclough and Broadfield Choir, Rochdale Music Service, Carers Choir, Town Centre Chaplain Revd Margaret Smith, Multi-Faith Rochdale, veterans and members of the public all attended to celebrate the occasion.

Leading the flag raising with a brief history of St George, Revd Margaret Smith said: “St George is not just celebrated in England, he is celebrated in Brazil, Italy, Portugal, China, India, Greece, Canada, Ethiopia, Lebanon and Malta.

"He was born in Turkey into a rich Christian family and eventually joined the Roman army.

“We have the legend that a village was terrorised by a dragon, which St George slayed by chopping off the dragon’s head and freeing the village.

"In actual fact, the truth is that George joined the Roman army but Diocletian (the Emperor of Rome) was against the Christians and tried his best to persuade George to turn to the Roman faith. George declined and released the emperor’s slaves and servants but as a result, he was beheaded.

“It was Edward III in England who recognised the bravery of George and made him the saint in England. Edward also started the church which is St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle – the Queen’s favourite place to go to worship.

“St George is the symbol of standing up for truth, fighting for justice and supporting fairness and we are here to remember that.”

Following the Reverend’s speech, Shawclough and Broadfield Primary School students sang two songs titled ‘George and his dragon’ and ‘I am the air’.

This was followed by a multi-faith prayer by Saiqa Naz and Jan Hicks from Rochdale Multi-Faith Service.

Robin Parker read his poem titled ‘St George and the Bard’.

As the Mayor raised the St George flag with help from Tony Lloyd MP, attendees sang the National Anthem, accompanied by Rochdale Music Service.

‘My Prayer is Peace Unbounded’, written by Ann Jones, was the final performance sang by the Carers Choir.

Afterwards, attendees were invited into the Town Hall where refreshments were provided along with a St George’s Day cake made by Icky Sticky Cake Company.

A free book stall was on display to celebrate World Book Night.

Ann Jones, member of the Multi-Faith Partnership who organised the stall, said: “We received some funding to help out with the St George’s Day celebrations this year.

“As well as it being St George’s Day and Shakespeare’s birthday, we wanted to recognise that it is also World Book Night, an event that has been running for eight years to promote the benefits of reading."

Mayor Duckworth said: “It is marvellous to see all these people turn out. The Scots are always proud of who they are, and the Welsh and we had a great St Patrick’s Day.

"We have a language that we can use all over the world – everybody speaks English don’t they. I am proud of that and I’m proud of St George because ever since him we haven’t seen a dragon in Rochdale… he must have done a good job.”

MP for Rochdale Tony Lloyd said: “There can’t be anything more symbolic of modern Rochdale than St George. The reason is to stand up for what’s right and I think this is fitting this year as we celebrate our Englishness.

“This year the England football team will be heading to Russia for the World Cup where the St George’s Day flag will be held by many English supporters and this is right to celebrate our Englishness.

“The red rose is symbolic of Lancashire as well, another thing we need to be proud of along with St George.

"Today is also William Shakespeare’s birthday and of course Shakespeare was probably the most famous English person of all time. These celebrations are for God, for England and the Bard – let’s be proud and stand up for what’s right.”