St George's Day celebrations announced as group look to raise money for future parades

The organisers of Nottingham's St George's Day events and parades have announced how they will be celebrating the occasion this year. The Radford branch of The Royal Society of St George, which for many years has brought themed events and parades to Nottingham city centre, has announced its programme of festivities for this year's celebrations.

The branch will be honouring England's patron saint through celebrations on Tuesday, April 23, at Ye Olde Salutation Inn off Maid Marian Way in Nottingham city centre. This will raise money to pay for a large St George's Day parade in the future, the group has explained.

Phil Harwood, secretary of the branch, said: "We will be having an all day disco with DJ Murph blasting out patriotic tunes plus selling branch merchandising, a St George Raffle hosted by our chairman with excellent prizes plus much more."

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The parade was also cancelled last year because of rising costs. The branch will also honour local war hero Thomas Harold Burton with "specific merchandising" and a pamphlet on the gunner's life and heroic endeavours during the First World War. "As ever all proceeds from the event (one of three annual fundraisers) will go to funding a future big St George's Day parade.

"We do appreciate everyone's support, past, future and present and hopefully we can put Nottingham on the St George map once again!" On Tuesday, April 16, what is thought to be England's largest national flag - featuring St George's heraldic cross - was unfurled from the Council House in Old Market Square.

The flag, believed to be the largest in the country, measures 60ft by 26ft (18m by 8m) and covers most of the building’s frontage. Its installation has been sponsored this year by SCAPE and signage company John E Wright and Co Ltd.