Families, shoppers and visitors to Nottingham can enjoy one of England’s biggest St George’s Day celebrations with a fantastic day of free activities on Saturday 23 April.
It promises to be a great day out with free entertainment including music, dancing, knights in armour, crafts, storytelling and plays, plus Robin Hood and St George on hand to meet their fans.
The fun day out will take place from 10.30am – 4.30pm in the Old Market Square. Visitors can hear stories of St George told by professional storyteller Amanda Smith and make their own dragon puppet, rose or sword in the crafts area.
The Household Medieval Re-enactment Society will also be in the square all day to talk to visitors about their weapons and armour and demonstrate medieval embroidery and needlework. The Household Knights will put on thrilling combat displays at 10.50am and 3.05pm.
Crowds can enjoy live music from The Keith Kendrick Band, the Dovetail Trio, and Carlton Brass Band, while Mortimer’s Morris dancers will perform.
Members of the public will also be able to meet and take photos with both St George and Robin Hood. The St George’s Parade, which is run by the Radford Branch of the Royal Society of St George, will arrive into the Square at about 12.30pm.
Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture at Nottingham City Council, said: “Nottingham hosts one of the biggest St George’s day celebrations in England, and since 23 April falls on a Saturday, we’re making the event even better this year.
“We’re proud to be putting on a great free day out in Nottingham for everyone this St George’s Day. With such a variety of free activities, there’s sure to be something for everyone to enjoy.”
To mark 400 years since the death of William Shakespeare, which also falls on 23 April, Nottingham Central Library will hold a free event from 11am – 2pm to celebrate the bard’s life and work.
- Take the opportunity to dress up in historical costumes and take a selfie #shakespeare16
- Be inspired with film clips of great Shakespeare solos
- Meet ‘The Bard’ himself reliving his life and works.
St George’s Day schedule
All day: Storytelling with Amanda Smith will take place throughout the day, focusing on the myths and legends of England, St George and King Arthur.
All day: Craft activities – make a dragon puppet, sword or English rose
All day (except during the Parade): Robin Hood and St George will be in the Square to meet and take pictures with people.
All day: The Household will be demonstrating medieval crafts (embroidery and needlework) and letting visitors handle replica weapons and armour
10.30 – 10.50am – Mini play – A Tale of Robin Hood
10.50 – 11.10am – Combat displays by knights from The Household Medieval Re-enactment Society
11.30am – 12.30pm – Traditional English Folk music with the Keith Kendrick Band and Mortimer’s Morris dancers
12.30 – 1pm – Radford Branch Royal Society of St George Parade arrives, including St George on horseback
1 – 2pm – Traditional English Folk Music with the Dovetail Trio and Mortimer’s Morris dancers
2 -2.45pm – Brass Band concert with Carlton Brass band
2.45 – 3.05pm – Mini play – A Tale of Robin Hood
3.05 – 3.25pm – Combat displays by knights from The Household Medieval Re-enactment Society
3.45 – 4.30pm – Brass Band concert with Carlton Brass band