Council snubs St George's Day

St George flag

The Liberal Democrat led Rochdale Borough Council is snubbing England's saints' day, by failing to organise a flag raising ceremony at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday 23 April, St George's Day.

The Council organises the raising of the Bangladeshi Flag for Bangladesh Independence Day, the Pakistani Flag for Pakistan Independence Day and the Irish flag for St Patrick’s Day but, despite calls for the patron saint's day to be made a Bank Holiday by Rochdale MP Paul Rowen, will not be raising the St George flag.

Independent candidate in Castleton in the forthcoming local elections, Frank Salt, said: "Once again the stupidity of our elected councillors is plain for all the country to witness.

"What pathetic excuse for this lack of community cohesion will they trot out this time? Will any of the sitting councillors of the ruling Lib Dems 'dare' to voice an opinion or as usual accept that the cabinet knows best.

"The cross of St George is a symbol of the day set aside as England's saints day.

"The sooner this bedraggled bunch is shown the door by the electors of Rochdale the better for all our communities."

Conservative leader Ashley Dearnley said: "It is totally unacceptable not to raise the St George flag, we should be proud of our heritage. If this is some politically correct stunt it is insulting to all people in our town. The council should be proud to raise the flag, as I am proud that we celebrate all other nationalities living in our town."

Labour leader Colin Lambert said: "Disgraceful example of a council which has lost its focus and sense of priorities.

The ruling group should all resign. They are only intent on representing themselves and their pockets not the true citizens of the borough.

Let's meet up at the flag pole and demand they fly the flag. It is not for any reason other than everyone having the right to be proud of their nation and their place of birth.

"Rochdale Lib Dems hang your heads in shame."

Last year the Lib Dems raised the flag but snubbed the Labour Mayor Robin Parker by not inviting him.


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St. George is the patron saint of England. His emblem, a red cross on a white background, is the flag of England, and part of the British flag.

Every nation has its own ‘Patron Saint’ who in times of great peril is called upon to help save the country from its enemies. St David is the patron saint of Wales, St Andrew of Scotland and St Patrick of Ireland - St George being the patron saint of England.

But who was St. George, and what did he do to become England’s Patron Saint?

Very little is known about St. George’s life, but it is thought he was a high ranking officer in the Roman army who was killed in around AD 303.

It seems that the Emperor Diocletian had St. George tortured to make him deny his faith in Christ. However despite some of the most terrible torture even for that time, St George showed incredible courage and faith and was finally beheaded near Lydda in Palestine. His head was later taken to Rome where it was interred in the church dedicated to him.

Stories of his strength and courage soon spread throughout Europe. The best-known story about St. George is his fight with a dragon, but it is highly unlikely that he ever fought a dragon, and even more unlikely that he ever visited England, however his name was known there as early as the eighth-century.

In the Middle Ages the dragon was commonly used to represent the Devil.

Unfortunately the many legends connected with St. George’s name are fictitious, and the slaying of the ‘Dragon’ was first credited to him in the twelfth-century.

St. George, so the story goes, killed a dragon on the flat topped Dragon Hill in Uffington, Berkshire, and it is said that no grass grows where the dragon’s blood trickled down!

It was probably the 12th century Crusaders however who first invoked his name as an aid in battle.

King Edward III made him the Patron Saint of England when he formed the Order of the Garter in St. George's name in 1350, and the cult of the Saint was further advanced by King Henry V, at the battle of Agincourt in northern France.

Shakespeare made sure that nobody would forget St. George, and has King Henry V finishing his pre-battle speech with the famous phrase, ‘Cry God for Harry, England and St. George!’

King Henry himself, who was both warlike and devout, was thought by his followers to possess many of the saint’s characteristics.

St. George’s Day is still celebrated, and his flag flown, on his feast day, 23 April all over England.

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UPDATE

Rochdale Online has just been notified that having read this article, Council Leader, Councillor Irene Davidson is now organising a flag raising.

Councillor Irene Davidson said: “I have spoken to the Council and arranged for the St George’s Flag to be raised this Friday to mark St George’s Day. I have also asked our Mayor Keith Swift if he will kindly do the honours.

“The raising of the flag is a great tradition. Rochdale has proven over the years to be a tolerant place that enthusiastically celebrates its diversity. I look forward to seeing the flag flying on Friday.”