Whitworth bathed in sunshine for St George celebration

Photo: Mike Burgess

Whitworth bathed in sunshine for St George celebration

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Whitworth held its celebration of England’s patron saint, St George at an event on Sunday 19 April.

The early afternoon procession along a section of Market Street was blessed with beautiful weather. Those processing included St George himself accompanied by a ferocious looking dragon (produced and operated by young people from Whitworth Community High School).

Other participants included the Mayor and Mayoress of Whitworth, Councillor Jim Mellor and Mrs Susan Mellor, Whitworth MP Jake Berry and his wife, Charlotte, members of the town’s various uniformed organisations, Whitworth’s famous Vale & Healey Brass Band, and the members of the Curtain Theatre Company in their Pace Egg costumes.

There followed a Service of Celebration at the Riverside (Civic Hall), led with great gusto and humour by Peter Ruane. The service included a performance of the traditional ‘Pace Egg’ play by the Curtain Theatre Company, and the winners of the primary schools colouring competition were announced. All four Whitworth primary schools took part, resulting in hundreds of entries.

The winners:

• Georgina Rainey aged eight - from Our Lady and St Anselm’s Primary
• Thomas O’Dell aged 11 - from St Bartholomew’s Primary
• Safa Saleem aged eight - from St John with St Michael Primary 
• Ella Simpson aged four - from Tonacliffe Primary

Councillor David Chorlton, Chairman of the Tourism and Leisure Committee, said: “The weather was on our side on the day and the procession was bathed in sunshine, which we were all fortunate for. The hall was full for the service and I must of sincere thanks to Peter Ruane for his wonderful performance as our Master of Ceremonies. 

"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 Police, marshals, Pace Egg performers, the Riverside staff, the Band, and our local uniformed organisations and schools.”

The event was organised by the Tourism and Leisure Committee of Whitworth Town Council.