21 - Dragon will be roaring success at St George’s celebrations

A real live dragon has been drafted in to help make this year’s St George’s celebrations in Sedgley a roaring success.

 

Some of the world’s most exotic snakes and lizards will be slithering along to the St George’s celebrations in Vicar Street Gardens on April 26.

 

It includes a lizard called a bearded dragon, provided by Brockswood Animal Sanctuary, Sedgley.

 

People will also get the chance to pet the more cuddly animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs and get up close and personal with creepy crawlies in the special mini-zoo at the event.

 

 

“This is yet another addition to this year’s packed programme of activities at the St George’s celebrations.

 

“We hope people from all communities will come along and join in the fun”

 

Other entertainment on the day includes history displays at All Saints and St Andrew’s churches – looking back at Sedgley’s past and the truth about the legend of St George.

 

There will also be a town crier and a 10ft tall knight helping with the festivities.

 

Comedy duo Brum and Dudley will be juggling, showing off their acrobatic skills and cracking gags to the hundreds of children and families.

 

Singer Maggie O’Hara will be leading a sing-along with the crowds, which will include classics such as Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory.

 

War re-enactment specialists Drudian will be staging realistic mock battles between armour-clad knights armed with swords and shields.

 

The Harvington household and the Guild of St Edmund historical re-enactment groups will be entertaining the crowds with displays of shining armour of 15^th century knights and weaponry from the age of Queen Elizabeth.

 

Sedgley Community Association is providing refreshments in the community centre off Ladies Walk.

 

A range of events will also be held at Sedgley Library, Ladies Walk, including a colouring competition, quiz, baby and toddler rhyme session and poetry.

 

The Black Country Museum will also be bringing along a mobile parlour, where staff will be on hand to talk about how people lived years ago. Sedgley Morris Men will also be performing.

 

Sedgley school children have been involved in the preparation for the event. Dormston School pupils are making a giant dragon and pupils from Alder Coppice and Queen Victoria schools will be singing and dancing. Cotwall End and St Chad’s schools will also be part of the entertainment.

 

St George on horseback will lead the annual parade through the streets of the town. They will be joined by ex-servicemen and women, scouts, civic dignitaries and other members of the community. The parade will begin in Mill Bank before moving along High Street, Dudley Street, Vicar Street, The Priory and ending in Vicar Street Gardens.

 

A number of roads will be closed during the march including Mill Bank, Dudley Street, Gospel End Street and High Street.

 

The Mayor of Dudley will get the festivities underway with a red and white balloon launch.