St George comes to Saint John's 20th April 2013

       



A gentleman from St James, Whitley, lent us a dragon which he carved from a tamarisk root



Our late friend John Russell organised Willenhall’s first St George’s Day celebration back in 2011. As a tribute to his memory, and as a way of bringing the community together, we have continued in John’s spirit and established St George’s Day as an ongoing event.

This year, the Community Champions, the Willenhall Local History Group and the Vicar and congregation joined together to hold St George’s Day in the church and hall of St John the Divine.

 Funds for the event were raised during a charity bag-pack at Asda Abbey Park, by kind permission of Kim Evans and Lynn Bowen. We had never done anything like this before, but in the end there was a great spirit of camaraderie among the bag-packers, The customers were most generous, and helped us to raise over £300.

In the Easter holidays, Community Champions Carole and Jo held two children’s workshops at the Hagard, which provided a gallery of lovely pictures and stories to decorate the church hall on the day.

We were very lucky with the weather; 20^th April was sunny and warm, with gentle breezes. Churchwarden Rose Harding arrived early to put the baked potatoes in the oven and prepare the fillings. She worked tirelessly all day and was an absolute rock of support throughout.

At 11 am the guests began to arrive, among them our MP, Jim Cunningham, and local councillor, Ram Lakha, welcomed by Kate Lee who was our MC for the day.



Kate our MC for the day, chatting to Betty L before the event began

Katrina, with Jim Cunningham, Ram Lakha and others

We began with a service in the church, during which Kate told us the story of St George. Afterwards, Katrina invited us all to write down our own personal ‘dragons’ on a piece of paper, and place them on the altar. We then adjourned to the space by the west window for a performance of the traditional Mummers’ Play. Nick had us in fits as the Doctor, and Rose took a break from the kitchen to play a major role.

A hot lunch of baked potatoes with various fillings was enjoyed by all, then we gathered back in the church for an old-time sing-along with Margaret, the church organist, at the keyboard. Meanwhile, Carole and Jo supervised children’s activities at the craft and cookie-decorating table, and people enjoyed a get-together over delicious cakes, coffee and tea.



Craft and cookie tables, festively decorated



We’re ‘looking on the bright side’ for next year’s event, which we are already planning, and we hope to bring the spirit of St George to Willenhall for many years to come.



Lunchtime in the hall