THERE will be plenty of England-themed activities taking place in Bromsgrove and at the town’s St John’s Church on Saturday (April 23) to celebrate St George’s Day and HM The Queen’s 90th birthday.
From 11am to 3pm on the High Street, there will be music from Vintage Class Singers, performances from the Nancy Butterfly Morris Dancers, Magic Bob’s Balloon Model Creations, Bromsgrove WI and Songstars Show Choirs and the chance for youngsters to decorate their own crowns with prizes for the best one.
Austin Classic Cars will be on display and there will be YMCA Family Fun.
At 3pm there will be a parade down the High Street to St John’s Church to celebrate the Queen’s 90th Birthday.
There will be an appearance by 90-year-old Don Kynaston who was born in the same year as HM The Queen – she will be celebrating her marvellous milestone on Thursday.
There will be the Right Royal Vintage Fayre at St John’s Church from 2pm to 4.15pm with lots of stalls, including crafts, jewellery, a bottle tombola, books, guess the weight of the cake, guess how many sweets are in the jar, granny’s attic bric-a-brac and tea and biscuits.
A photobooth will enable visitors to step back in time and dress in 1920s clothes before having their pictures taken.
There will also be a 1920s pram for parents to put their babies in for the photographs.
Residents can enter cake and jam making competitions – entries for those must be in by 2.30pm.
And there will be a history tour of the church and tower. That costs £2 per person and places need to be booked in advance.
Those born in 1926 will also receive a free ticket to the vintage tea dance – some proof of age is needed.
At 3.30pm, Don will judge the ‘best dressed crown’ and at 4pm, the ‘Fit for a Queen’ cake competition will be judged by Lorita from Lorita’s Bakehouse and Standard editor Tristan Harris. There will be prizes for each category – under 16s cakes, over 15s cakes and jams.
For more on the cake and jam making competitions, call Jo Hackett on 07496 019013 or 01527 574336.
The tea dance, featuring songs from the 1920s to the 1950s performed by Vintage Class, will then be held between 4.30pm and 6pm.
Tickets, which include afternoon tea, are £5 and are available from the church office on 01527 878801.
Val Wilson, Bromsgrove District Council’s arts and events officer, said residents were in for some patriotic fun at what would be a fantastic family friendly celebration.
“Our event will have something for everyone, so pop along and see what’s happening. ”
Coun Rita Dent, Bromsgrove District Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Town Centre, said: “The St George’s Day celebration is always a brilliant event and I am sure this year will be no exception.”
Visit www.bromsgrove.gov.uk or call 01527 534030 for more on the event.
In Rubery this afternoon, the annual England-themed shop window display competition, organised by the village’s St George’s Day Society, will be judged.
Almost 30 businesses have participated and Beaconside and Hollywell Primary Schools have donated 100 paintings of St George which have been displayed in shops and the library.
Yesterday (Thursday) Beaconside’s School Choir performed at the Beacon Church Centre.
And tomorrow (Saturday) 185 people will attend the St George’s Day Dinner and cabaret at Kings Norton Golf Club.
John Chatwin, from Rubery’s St George’s Day Society, said the traders’ help and support with the events had been amazing.
“The society’s aim is to encourage all the members of the community to come to celebrate our national saints day.
“This year’s has been a very successful celebration.”
Turn to page six and visit www.bromsgrovestandard.co.uk for more on the district’s St George’s Day celebrations.
