St George’s Day honoured in town hall ceremony

St George’s Day celebrations by flying the St George’s cross outside Rochdale Town Hall

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Rochdale Council honoured St George’s Day celebrations by flying the St George’s cross outside Rochdale Town Hall.

Mayor Keith Swift and Mayoress Sue Etchells, in front of town councillors and parliamentary candidates, raised the flag at 10.00am to mark the day.

Mayor Swift said of the event: “I think it is important to celebrate St George’s Day and recognising that even though we are a multicultural community, that we are English as well.

“I hope that celebrations like today’s will catch on and become a national event and maybe even a bank holiday.”

Jim Dobbin, Labour candidate for Heywood and Middleton, thinks it about time English people should be able to honour April 23.

He said: “The Irish, Scottish and Welsh get to celebrate their patron saint’s day, why shouldn’t the English?

“People should have the right to recognise their nationality and celebrate it.”

Paul Rowen, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Rochdale, said of the day: “It is great to see the town following the tradition of St. George’s day.

“I am pleased to see so many people here and am grateful to the Mayor for organising it.”

Alongside the flag raising, Mayor Swift has organised a St George's Day celebration at the town hall at 7.00pm tonight, 23 April.

The Rochdale Music Service Concert Orchestra and the Rochdale Youth Orchestra will combine to play at the event.

They will perform ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ and ‘Rule Britannia’ among other songs.

Also appearing will be ‘That’s All Folk’, ‘Drifting Over Miller’ and soprano Freda Farnsworth.

Mayor Swift said: “The orchestra sounds fantastic and it should be a great night.”

Tickets are £8 for adults, £6 for children.

In other celebrations, Castleton’s New Bridge Chippy, has covered the shop with England flags and is offering customers fish and chips for £1.50.

Fryer Mark Foster said: “Its 150 years of fish and chips, and we always celebrate St George’s day, so we thought we’d combine the two.

“Doing things like this gives a little bit back to the community.”