Stonecross St. George’s Day West Bromwich 24th April

More than the expected 20,000 people from across the Black Country flocked to West Bromwich to take part in the celebrations to honour England’s patron saint, and for almost two hours the streets around the town became one mass of Red and White as English patriots marched in a parade that stretched almost a third of the route from Westminster Road to Dartmouth Park. Getting people into the mood at the start of the parade was organiser Mark and blind Dave Heeley helped by Baggie Bird and a look alike former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who stood in for the Queen this year because she was busy organising her grandson’s wedding. Leading the parade was the ever loyal Northfield Caledonia band supported in the march by the bands of the England’s Supporters and Walsall Coronets who must be congratulated for their stirling endurance and performances. The number of attractions in Dartmouth Park must have surprised everyone who knew of the problems being met by the organisers even as late as two weeks before the event, and I hope that people show their appreciation by offering their assistance or donating to next years event. The parade ended at the War Memorial in the park in a salute to past patriots before people dispersed to the attractions which included this year, Bouncy Castles, Morris Dancers, a Viking settlement, Scooter display, Pat Collins Fun Fair, besides a variety of Craft stalls and food vans not forgetting our own campaign stand.
Our stand had to be brought all the way up from Salisbury after it had taken pride of place in the local market there on Saturday and thanks have to go to Veronica and John Newman who had very little sleep in order to bring it. The stand was manned by Veronica, John, and the West Midland team of John Stanhope, Julian Asher and Nigel Bromage with appearances from our Chairman Eddie Bone and members Fred Bishop and Tony Trahearn. I am glad to say that at most times throughout the day people were two and three deep and scrambling to put their names down on our supporters lists, so many were they that at one point we had to put out 6 separate sheets to accommodate the queue. All in all in was grand day for a grand occasion and everyone left happy.