THE popularity of celebrating St George’s Day has steadily been growing in recent times with more and more people flying the flag in support of England’s patron saint.
Youth organisations have taken part in parades down the years ever since Baden-Powell chose St George to be Patron Saint of the Scout Association.
He felt that the St George set a good example of faith, courage and perseverance.
Here we take a look at some St George’s Parades in recent years in Taunton.
This weekend will see England celebrate St George’s Day.
For the hero/villain of the piece is better known these days as St George, who saved the life of a princess by stabbing a fire-breathing dragon.
Okay, so it’s a bit of a tall story made up almost 2,000 years ago, but George, who came to his own violent end when he was beheaded for his Christian beliefs on April 23 in the year 303, was installed as the patron saint of England in 1415.
And this Saturday is St George’s Day, when the English are supposed to let their hair down, slacken those stiff upper lips and celebrate their nationality.
St George has created an impression of sorts on Taunton however.
The town has two churches named after him, a primary school, a residential square and a care home all taking his name, while another church has a statue of him slaying the dragon on its exterior wall.
And local churches are being urged to mark Saturday by ringing their bells from 9am onwards – April 23 still isn’t a key date in our calendar.
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