On Sunday 17 April 2011, the town of Whitworth in the Rossendale Valley will hold its annual celebration of England’s patron saint, St George. As usual, the event has been organised by the Tourism and Leisure Committee of Whitworth Town Council.
The celebrations will begin at 1.30pm with a procession starting at the corner of Market Street and Tong Lane. Led by a dragon and ‘St George’, those walking will include the Mayor and Mayoress of Whitworth, Councillor Mr David Chorlton and Mrs Gillian Chorlton, representatives of numerous uniformed groups, organisations and churches, and distinguished guests, all processing to the sound of Whitworth’s famous Vale and Healey Brass Band.
The procession will conclude at the Riverside (Civic Hall), where a Service of Celebration will take place at 2pm, led by the Mayoral Chaplain, Rev Father Frank Thorpe of St Mary and St Anselm’s Church. The service will include a performance by the Curtain Theatre Company of the traditional ‘Pace Egg’ play – once widespread throughout England but now only practised in Lancashire and West Yorkshire, the Pace Egg sees brave St George battle numerous contenders, with good eventually triumphing over evil. Coffee and light refreshments will be served after the service, with the events expected to draw to a close around 2.45pm.
Primary schools in the town are taking part in a colouring competition, the winners of which will be announced at the service, and Whitworth High School is providing the ’dragon’.
For further information on the St George celebrations, please contact Karen Douglas, Clerk of Whitworth Town Council, on 01706 852018 (tel and fax) or email info@whitworth.gov.uk.
