Call to make St George's Day a bank holiday
JON Cruddas has joined calls to make St George s Day a Bank holiday after attending fantastic celebrations at Old Dagenham Park. The Labour MP for Dagenham was among an estimated 1,500 people who enjoyed flag-making and watched medieval-style jousting o
JON Cruddas has joined calls to make St George's Day a Bank holiday after attending "fantastic" celebrations at Old Dagenham Park.
The Labour MP for Dagenham was among an estimated 1,500 people who enjoyed flag-making and watched medieval-style jousting on Abbey Green, The Broadway, Barking, and Old Dagenham Park, Siviter Way, to celebrate England's patron saint.
The third century Roman soldier, according to legend, slew a dragon which terrorised the inhabitants of Salone, Lybia, and became a national symbol of Englishness.
Mr Cruddas is rallying behind St George's Day enthusiasts, including Tory MP for Romford Andrew Rosindell, who last year submitted a Commons' motion calling for April 23 to become a national holiday.
You may also want to watch:
Mr Cruddas told the Recorder: "This is very important to preserve our culture and identity and celebrate Englishness. I am very passionate about this."
Barking and Dagenham Council was pleased with its St George's Day festivities, which involved 600 pupils at Old Dagenham Park and parties at community centres across Barking and Dagenham.
Most Read
- 1 Woman brightens up Barking and Dagenham with colourful crochet creations
- 2 'Strong, united community' hailed as plans for hotel in Barking withdrawn
- 3 Appeal for help as girl, 17, reported missing from Dagenham
- 4 Bobby Moore's daughter visits Upney buildings to be named after footballers
- 5 Three men found stabbed after alleged brawl in Dagenham
- 6 Walk-in Covid-19 jab events for all adults to be held in Barking
- 7 Exhibition launches to celebrate 100 years of Becontree Estate
- 8 Met launches summer operation as teen killings surge
- 9 Man found stabbed in Chadwell Heath
- 10 Entries open for Barking and Dagenham talent contest
A spokesman said: "The St George's Day events were very well attended and it was fantastic to see many local people sporting red and white painted faces and hoisting flags on their homes.
