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St George has seen an upsurge in interest recently as the English try to carve out some sort of national identity. This year, like last, the Mayor of London is officially supporting a number of associated events - in particular, look out for Borough Market coming to Trafalgar Square. It might not be in the same league as a major football tournament (yet) but it's the perfect opportunity to dust off the red and white flags and bunting and get into London to celebrate. Listed below are some of the capital's official celebrations guaranteed to ignite either your national pride or (for the non-English contingent) your curiosity in our strange traditions.
 Ceremony at the Cenotaph Saturday 19th April 2008 Standing solemnly in the middle of Whitehall, the Cenotaph is a suitably sombre place for reflection and remembrance of England’s patron saint. Following a short parade, a wreath-laying event organised by the Royal Society of St George is held at here on the Saturday 19th before St George’s Day. Most famous as the focus of the national Remembrance Service (the closest Sunday to the 11th November), the Cenotaph is traditionally known as the place where the servicemen of the British Empire and Commonwealth who died in the two World Wars are remembered. The monument was originally built of wood and plaster for the first anniversary of the Armistice in 1919. The memorial you see today was designed by Edward Lutyens. Fashioned from Portland Stone it was unveiled one year later in 1920. The inscription simply reads "The Glorious Dead". Address: Whitehall, SW1A 2BX Date: Saturday 19th April 2008 Time: 10.30am-11.45am Nearest Station: Charing Cross Tube/Rail Ceremony at the Cenotaph - Information   The Queen's Birthday Gun SalutesHyde Park, W2 3JA Monday 21st April 2008 Just two days before we celebrate St George's Day, another very English tradition takes place. The Queen is honoured with her Birthday Gun Salute - on her actual birthday, 21st April. It's loud, spectacular and smoky. Cannon and gun shots are fired across the green expanse of Hyde Park and across the Thames from outside the Tower of London. You'll be able to see the Honourable Artillery Company and the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery who will be at the Tower and Hyde Park respectively, dressed up in full regalia, in a ceremony that takes you right back in time. Venue: Hyde Park Address: Westminster, W2 3JA Phone: 020 7298 2000 Date: Monday 21st April 2008 Time: Midday Pricing: Free Nearest Station: Hyde Park Corner Tube The Queen's Birthday Gun Salutes - Information  Shakespeare's BirthdayShakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, SE1 9ED St George's Day, Wednesday 23rd April 2008 Far more English than St George himself, the nation’s greatest writer - William Shakespeare - shares his birthday with the Saint. The exact date of the Bard’s birthday is a mystery - we know he was baptised on the 26th - but the fact he died on the 23rd, 52 years later, means that day was taken to be his birthday. This year, Shakespeare’s birthday celebrations fall on the same day as the start of the new Globe season which begins with his greatest tragedy, 'King Lear'. To mark the occasion, and as part of the Mayor’s St George’s Day celebrations, the Globe's floating theatre will be gliding up the Thames, from Butlers Wharf to the Globe with entertainment continuing until 7pm. Of course, you’ll also be able to wander around and marvel at this brilliant reconstruction of Elizabethan London. A treat in itself. Address: Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, SE1 9ED Phone: 020 7401 9199 Date: St George's Day, Wednesday 23rd April 2008 Time: 6pm-7pm Price: Free Nearest Station: London Bridge Tube/Rail Shakespeare's Birthday - Information  Shakespeare's Birthday Activities DaySunday 20th April 2008 In anticipation of St George’s Day - which coincides with Shakespeare's official birthday on Wednesday 23rd April - the Globe Theatre is hosting a free party and day of activities on the Sunday before. It's a great free, fun family day out with a giant pass the parcel, balloons and cakes, all at the Globe's picturesque riverside location on the Thames. There's also a rare chance to see the acclaimed Footsbarn theatre company who’ve been performing the Bard's plays for over 35 years. Visitors can see a taster of their new show (along with musicians, performers, activities and workshops) and tread the boards of the famous Globe stage. Address: New Globe Walk, Bankside, Southwark, SE1 9DR Phone: 020 7902 1400 Date: Sunday 20th April Time: Midday-5pm Price: Free Nearest Station: Mansion House Tube Shakespeare's Birthday Activities Day - Information  St George's Day GalaRoyal Albert Hall, SW7 2AP St George's Day, Wednesday 23rd April 2008 Here's a chance to enjoy a good selection of patriotic music to celebrate England's patron saint, from both the intellectual and the singalong sides of the British classical canon. Football terrace chants like 'Colonel Bogey', the 'Dam Busters March' and 'Rule Britannia' are joined by wartime songs, along with highlights from the music of Vaughan Willians, Walton, Handel, Holst and Elgar, in this concert at the Royal Albert Hall. There is also poetry by Shakespeare, Wordsworth and Betjeman. Anthony Inglis conducts the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Choral Society. Venue: Royal Albert Hall Address: Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP Phone: 020 7589 8212 Date: St George's Day, Wednesday 23rd April 2008 Time: 19:30 Pricing: £43.50 - £12.50 Nearest Station: South Kensington Tube St George's Day Gala - Information  St George’s Day Festival at Covent GardenSt George’s Day, Wednesday 23rd April 2008 If you’re unsure of why you ought to be proud to be English, head down to Covent Garden for her patron saint’s festival. You can enjoy a revival of traditions, from Morris dancing to battle re-enactments along with some (less traditionally English) jive dancing thrown in. The bizarre and obscure Mummers’ plays involving costumed thespians acting out folkloric tales of the resurrection keep stories dating back to medieval times alive. And it doesn't get much more traditional than a good old Punch and Judy show. The day is filled with the patriotic tones of the Band of Yeomanry, traditional dance from the ribboned Moulton Morris men and swing dancing from the Jive Aces. It promises to be a very English family day out. Address: Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 8RF Phone: 020 7983 4000 Date: St George’s Day, Wednesday 23rd April 2008 Time: 10.30am-5pm Price: Free Nearest Station: Covent Garden Tube Covent Garden - Information  Trafalgar SquareSt George's Day, Wednesday 23rd April 2008 You won’t find any cake from the Women’s Institute at the village fete taking over Trafalgar Square for St George’s Day. With the ‘larder of London’ Borough Market providing the food stalls, the ‘Food Glorious Food’ theme is brilliantly executed by some of the city’s finest suppliers including Neal's Yard cheeses and Burnt Sugar cakes. It’s a delicious celebration of English fare with plenty to sample as you stroll around the square. See how it’s done with cooking demonstrations from the banqueting table on the performance stage, and watch the street theatre performances and cabaret entertainment, all tying in with the culinary theme. Lord Nelson, looking down from his lofty column, would surely approve. Address: Trafalgar Square, central London, WC2N 5DS Date: St George’s Day, Wednesday 23rd April 2008 Time: Midday-7.30pm, Stage Entertainment - Midday-2pm & 5pm-7.30pm Nearest Station: Charing Cross Tube/Rail Trafalgar Square - Information |
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