ONE thousand people are expected to march through Nottingham in celebration of this year's St George's Day.
Meeting at the Forest Recreation Ground from 11am, Tuesday's parade will set off at noon and make its way down Mansfield Road towards Old Market Square for 12.30pm, where a traditional English music festival will take place and a giant St George's flag will be draped in front of the council house.
Phil Harwood, secretary of organisers, the Radford branch of The Royal Society of St George, said: "It's about restoring our faith in being English, keeping traditions and values, whilst educating people about the history as well."
He said that although council funding is less than in previous years, they are still expecting a large turnout, as patriotism in the country is growing.
"Since 2002 and the Queen's Golden Jubilee we saw an increase, but then last year, and especially with the Olympics, people became proud being British again."
The society is calling for April 23 to be made a bank holiday, with Mr Harwood adding: "People just can't get the time off. We could have done more with bands and performers if everyone didn't have to go to work."
Among the revellers will be St George and the Dragon, costumed characters and marching bands.
And St George has a big weekend ahead of him with Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, which claims to be the oldest pub in the country, celebrating in typically patriotic style as George is due to arrive on horseback with other knights.
They are hosting a real ale festival over the weekend, which they say could potentially spill over to Monday and Tuesday.
Manager Karl Gibson said: "Local ale fans can toast the patron saint during the pub's cask ale festival this weekend with 24 ales on tap – nine of which are brewed in Nottinghamshire."
Councillor David Trimble, Nottingham City Councillor and portfolio holder for Leisure, Culture and Tourism, added: "The parade is a great day for all the different cultures that help make Nottingham what it is to come together and celebrate."
He stressed the importance of different community groups having parades through the city over the course of the year, as a means of sharing and learning from each other.
"This week, St George is centre stage," he added.
"We're delighted to put on the event, where you always see people smiling and enjoying themselves. That's what really makes the day."
Further parades are set to take place on Sunday in Long Eaton from 2pm and Ollerton from 11am.
Send us your St George's photos to mark.fear@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk
