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.
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.
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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.
