The Best of English - A Celebration of St George

The Best of English - A Celebration of St George - Mayor Robin Parker

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Mayor Robin Parker hosted an evening of entertainment with music as a celebration of St George at Rochdale Town Hall tonight (Saturday 25 April).

Middleton Music Society Choir began the evening, followed by Sid Calderbank and local members of the Edwin Waugh Society reciting songs, stories and poems from Old Lancashire, including a rendition from Londoner and now adopted Lancastrian Mayor Robin Parker.

The Debrose Ladies Choir, with Emily Garside accompanying, completed the first half of the evenings entertainment and their 'English' repertoire, including The Rose and The Lord is my Shepherd, was warmly appreciated by the audience.

During the pie and pea supper, served by the Town Hall catering staff, assisted by 1263 Squadron Air Cadets, guests were treated to a superb organ recital by Phillip Lowe.

The evenings entertainment was completed by Rochdale Borough Youth Band.

Mayor Parker thanked guests and entertainers for a thoroughly enjoyable evening and explained to the audience that both Jim Dobbin MP and Paul Rowen MP sent their apologies, they would have liked to attend but were unable to do so due to prior engagements.

He said to Rochdale Online: "This is the first time a mayor has celebrated St George in this way at the Town Hall and I hope it sets a precedent for future mayors to follow. We should be proud of our country and our heritage and celebrate our patron saints' day and all that is good about England."