By George! Newport set for big patron saint's day celebrations
People in Newport are getting ready to roar St George on to victory once again as the town celebrates England's patron saint.
Heroic St George will take on the dragon as part of the town's annual event – and there can only be one winner.
Newport will celebrate St George's Day with a host of events in the town centre on Saturday, April 19, four days before the official day.
The highlight will be a parade setting off from the Shakespeare Inn in High Street at noon, with the dragon drama on The Square followed by Shakespearean speeches involving the crowd.
There will also be traditional performances by the Ironmen and Severn Gilders and Newport Town Band.
Free samples of "dragon" sausages will be handed out along with red and white iced buns.
The Rotary Club of Newport, meanwhile, will be laying out a mile of coins along Newport High Street, with cash raised this year being split between Newport Food Bank and Telford Young Carers.
Councillor Peter Scott, chairman of the organising committee, said: "Newport's St George's Day event has really taken off over the last few years.
"Lots of people tend to turn out and have a great time celebrating all things English.
"It attracts people from all over the county and gets people into this wonderful town of ours.
"Best of all, it's all free."
Councillor Scott said it is hoped at least £1,000 will be raised on the day for charity.
He added: "The 17 red collection buckets for the mile of cash are already in many of the pubs and shops in the High Street.
"We want to collect as much as we can even before the event so we are asking people to throw in any spare change they have."
