The Lord Mayor of Chester calls St George back to Chester on Wednesday 23 April - Dragon sightings increase
All you good folk of Chester Town Come close and listen well I have a tale of blood and gore And bravery to tell’ ‘Of shiny knights with pointy swords Of damsels fair and sweet Of kings of old, with lots of gold And very smelly feet
Reports of a fire breathing Dragon approaching Chester has led to a call for St George to return to defend the city. On Wednesday 23 April, St George’s Day celebrations take to the streets of Chester with a tournament to pick a brave knight to slay the Dragon and save the princess in a street performance with local school children.
The Lord Mayor of Chester is hosting and funding a roaming street performance starting at 11am in Town Hall Square, and local artist Russell Kirk has been commissioned to help re-tell the St George legend but with a few Chester specific twists to the tale. Residents and visitors can look forward to a spectacular performance by local school children and performers.
St. George’s Day is an important event in the British calendar, where each year England celebrates its patron St. George. His emblem - a red cross on a white background - is England's flag and forms part of the Union Flag.
The Lord Mayor of Chester said:
To ensure his legend is kept alive today, I am delighted to be hosting and funding this year’s annual St George’s Day event in Chester City Centre. The performance celebrates England’s heritage and diversity and everyone is welcome to come along and watch. We have trainee knights from local primary schools: Lache Primary, Grosvenor Park Academy, St Clare's Primary and Belgrave Primary joining minstrels, and jesters bringing the story to life as it moves around the city in a pageant of colour and sound. I visited Belgrave Primary School to watch them prepare for the annual street performance on 23 April and learn about St George. I will riding my Chariot during the tournament to ensure that it is fair and help to pick the knight worthy of slaying the Dragon.
Russel Kirk said:
If you thought you knew the St George legend, think again as we prepare to reveal the ‘nearly true’ story. The fast-paced performance starts at Chester Town Hall Square at 11am, moving to Eastgate Street for a test of ‘sword’ skills, Chester Cross where the knight’s ‘archery’ skills will be put to the test. The final battle will take place outside the Town Hall, watched by the Lord Mayor of Chester. Can we rely on our Patron Saint to protect us? If previous attempts are anything to go by, probably not.