Ulverston’s St George’s Day festival is a feast of fun
Last updated at 11:29, Monday, 30 April 2012
A KNIGHT, a dragon, a horse and an evil estate agent all played their part in a celebration of England’s patron saint.
Ulverston held its annual Feast of St George in the town centre on Saturday.
Hundreds of people turned out in the sunshine to enjoy a host of traditional festivities throughout the day.
The entertainment included puppet shows, market stalls and donkey rides, with music provided by the Ulverston Victoria High School band.
Local entertainer and jester for the day, Garry Gifford, acted as MC as he hosted the first ever Furness Banger Dobbling Championship, with teams from local organisations and businesses attempting to throw a sausage in a net.
St George and his groom, also known as Ian Lancaster and Jane Armstrong-Lancaster from Levey Beck Stud, in Pennington, led their horse, Polo, around the town centre to greet the appreciative crowd.
Mrs Armstrong-Lancaster said: “It is a really good event which is a lovely day for the town. This is the first time we’ve done this.
“I think people do know a bit about St George’s Day.
“I think the children know he is going to fight the dragon.
“They are quite excited about it and like seeing a real horse in the town.”
The event culminated in the slaying of the dragon, with estate agent and Ulverston Traders’ Association chairman Ralph Spours playing the role of Baron Hard-up, who, along with his henchmen Snot and Bogie, kidnapped the damsel.
X Factor website interviewer James Farrow, a former Ulverston Victoria High School pupil, took the role of St George and slayed the villains before the dragon arrived.
The dragon, named Fido, was then dealt with, and St George also slayed his owner to cheers from the crowd.
One of the festival’s organisers, Peter Winston, said the event was about young people enjoying themselves.
He said: “In our town it is a bit of fun for the children but around the country I don’t think it seems to be celebrated.
“It is probably the start of our main festivals, as we have the flag and walking festivals coming up. Luckily the weather has been good as we got the rain out of the way at 10am.”
First published at 13:19, Monday, 23 April 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
Take it easy,remember the cardiac statistics.
View all 7 comments on this article
Have your say
Yes great day shame about cars driving down market street still ?
Posted by peter on 4 May 2012 at 16:13