Like many other events nationally, Nottingham’s annual St George’s Day celebrations will not go ahead as planned due to coronavirus restrictions.
The event is usually marked with a traditional parade by the Radford branch of the Royal Society of St George across the city centre to the Old Market Square. The parade is always headed by St George on horseback, and Nottingham also proudly displays what is believed to be the largest St George Cross flag in the country across the front of the Council House.
Organisers have now confirmed the event is cancelled, having previously hoped that Government restrictions might have been lifted or eased in time. They have also confirmed they will not hold it on another date this year, and so the next St George’s Day Parade will take place on Friday 23rd April 2021.
However, the Council House is to be lit up red to mark the occasion, and a smaller St George’s flag will fly from one of the flagpoles on the building. The lighting up will take place on the evening of Wednesday 22nd April rather than on the day itself, since the weekly Clap for our Carers has seen the Council House lit up blue, which will happen again on Thursday 23rd April.
Portfolio Holder for Leisure & Culture, Cllr Dave Trimble, said: “The St George’s Day celebrations are popular in Nottingham so I know people will be disappointed the parade is not going ahead. However, I’m sure they will agree that the organisers had no alternative but to cancel in the circumstances and hopefully we will have something bigger and better to look forward to next year.
“For this year, the event will be marked by lighting up the Council House and flying a St George’s flag.”