Parade spreads English pride
The centre of Ollerton came to a standstill on Sunday as the St George’s Day parade marched through the town.
Flags were waved and car horns sounded as the procession, led by England’s patron saint — played by Mr Brian Smith, of Ollerton — celebrated the joy of being English.
About 40 people took part in the procession, many of them children.
St George was followed by two henchmen and a large dragon’s head, designed and made by Mr Smith, a member of the town’s St George Celebration Group.
It was pulled along by the Sherwood Forest Trust community ranger, Miss Amy Chandler, and several children.
Children and adults followed the dragon’s head with red and white umbrellas decorated as scales to make its body.
The 110 umbrellas were decorated by children at Maun Infants’ School and at sessions held in Ollerton Library.
Behind them came the Foresters Morris Men of Nottingham and their female counterparts, the Greenwood Step Clog, a stilt walker, Robin Hood, some of his merry men and the Ollerton Drum Corps.
The procession made its way through the town centre to the Hop Pole Hotel.
One of the organisers, another Sherwood Forest Trust community ranger, Mr Ade Andrews, hoped the event would continue to grow in stature.
He said since Edwinstowe was championed as Robin Hood’s village, and Wellow as the maypole village, he felt Ollerton should become synonymous with St George.
“We in Ollerton are leading the way for others to follow — flying the flag for England,” he said.
“It is about putting the pride back and celebrating our history and what makes us English.”
The bagman with the Foresters Morris Men, Mr Eric Foxley, said the group rarely took bookings for St George’s Day until an upsurge in recent years, and they had 50 requests for this year’s celebrations.
Throughout Sunday afternoon there were several events.
These included a duck race on the River Maun, performances by the Dukeries Community Band, and a St George’s Day presentation.
There were also entertainers, storytellers and a circus workshop.
