Flying the flag for St George

A retired village policeman wants more people to celebrate St George’s Day.

Mr Albert Walker (82) of Fisher Close, Collingham, on Wednesday hoisted the flag of St George, together with the Union Flag and the White Ensign up the 15ft flagpole in his garden.

Mr Walker, a policeman in the village for more than 20 years, said others should follow his example and be more patriotic.

“People should be proud to be English,” he said.

“St George’s Day is a special day and I think it is important that we show it by flying the flag.”

Newark Town Council flew a St George’s flag from Newark Town Hall on Wednesday.

The personal assistant to the mayor, Mrs Penny Ballard, said that it had become a diary fixture along with a St George’s dinner in the Town Hall this evening.

Almost 100 guests will sit down to a traditional roast beef dinner followed by Bramley apple pie and English cheeses.

A toast to St George will be made by the leader of the town council, Mr Max Cope, and the loyal toast will be proposed by the Mayor of Newark, Mr Bryan Richardson.

Kelham Hall, the home of Newark and Sherwood District Council, did not fly a St George’s flag. They flew a flag, with the council logo, at half mast in tribute to district councillor and former MP for Newark, Mr Richard Alexander, who died on Sunday.

A St George’s flag was also flying from the central tower of Southwell Minster on Wednesday.

The head verger, Mr Andrew Todd, said that it was a regular tradition that they were pleased to continue.

A flag was flying at full mast at Bingham Town Council’s Old Courthouse building.

Different occasions throughout the year are marked with flags flown at the building and St George’s Day is always marked.

It was hoisted up the flagpole on Tuesday evening.

Ollerton had a day of celebrations to mark St George’s Day on Sunday.

It was the third annual event organised by St George’s Day Celebration Group, which includes representatives from various organisations in the village.

It started with a procession from the White Hart carpark to the Hop Pole Hotel at noon, led by Mr Brian Smith, of Station Road, Ollerton, as St George.

He was joined by minstrels, morris dancers, a stilt walker and people dressed in costumes including Robin Hood and Maid Marian.

Hundreds of Scouts and Guides from the Newark district will hold their annual St George’s Day parade and service in the town on Sunday afternoon.

They will parade from the Mount School, Newark, led by Balderton Scout and Guide Band to a service in Barnbygate Methodist Church.