A special report on the eve of St George's Day

DRAGON slayer St George may have been England's patron for more than 600 years but not many of us will be having a rip-roaring celebration on his big day tomorrow.

The Irish are potty about St Patrick; the Welsh worship St David and the Scots adore St Andrew. So where did George go wrong?

Why does our national day go by unnoticed? It seems only scouts- who have adopted him as their patron -tend to fly the flag with patriotic fervour at their annual parades, most of which will take place on Sunday.

Red roses proudly displayed in lapels are likely to be few and far between.

Although a few isolated 'bashes' are taking place in East Lancs, the celebrations look set to be another washout with more marking national book day, which also falls tomorrow!

Maybe St George's decline started when the Catholics decided to kick him off their calendar or could it be the fact that the many stories surrounding his life are more fiction than fact.

One legend tells of a dragon which was terrorising the country. Every day the people gave it sheep to keep it satisfied. But when the sheep ran out a human had to be offered instead.

The first victim was said to be the King's own daughter. She went to her fate dressed as a bride. But George stepped and attacked the dragon, pierced its side and led it away. Then he told people that if they became Christian he would rid them of this monster.

Fifteen thousand men were baptised, George killed the dragon and became renowned for chivalry and heroism. He was adopted for standing for "all that is right".

The Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Coun Peter Greenwood, will attend a St George's Day Parade and Service at King George's Hall, Blackburn, at 2pm on Sunday.

But even the borough's First Citizen is at a loss to say why our patron fails to stir more passion.

He said: "It's strange the English don't celebrate like the Scots, Irish and Welsh.

"Maybe it's because our children don't hear much about St George at school. I think the best way to bolster the day would be to come up with a new patron saint for the Millennium.

"That way we could get away from his bloodthirsty image and celebrate a more modern and less mythical hero."

Ken Jackson, East Lancashire scouts county commissioner, added: "St George's Day is very important to our movement.

"It is the time when all the Scouts renew their promise which is to do with being loyal, trustworthy and a good citizen."

'Fly the flag for St George's Day'

APATHETIC English should emulate the patriotic Scots, Welsh and Irish and celebrate their Patron Saint's Day.

Burnley has two organisations to make sure people in the town don't forget St George, whose special day is of course tomorrow, but the secretary for the Society of St George Victor Jull said: "It is very difficult to drum up enthusiasm."

The dragon-slaying saint has been England's patron for more than 600 years, but Mr Jull said: "People are not making a conscious decision not to observe his day, it is just that they are indifferent and don't think about celebrating, unlike the Irish, Scottish and Welsh." The Society was founded in 1939 and is planning a big celebration next year for its diamond jubilee. It has 25 members, some who live in Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear and one in Australia.

Tomorrow night the society will hold its annual dinner at the Oaks Hotel, Reedley.

The Committee for the Celebration of St George will also be holding its fifth fun day at Burnley's Towneley Park on Sunday.

Founder member Steve Smith said: "I think there is an atmosphere of apathy and I think generally speaking it is seen as not politically correct.

"We are organising the fun day for everybody to enjoy and not just white Anglo-Saxons.

"It is a chance to remember and celebrate who St George is."

The committee sold red roses in the town centre a few years ago to promote their fun day and raise money for charity and next year a crusader on white charger complete with lance will be in the town centre and at the park.

Mr Smith added: "I think it is sad that some people feel alienated by people proudly waving the Union Flag or St George's flag."

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