BY GEORGE, PATRIOTISM ON PARADE

By Lorraine Parker - Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Island morris side the Oyster Girls keep the crowds entertained at Cowes's St George's Day event. Picture by Jennifer Burton.

COWES proved patriotism is alive and well when thousands flocked to Northwood Park for Cowes Rotary Club's St George's Day weekend.
The third of its kind, this year's free event was bigger than ever before with more stallholders, more events and surprisingly, more sunshine.
The weekend kicked off with a concert by the Royal British Legion National Central Band at the Yacht Haven on Friday.
Accompanied by the talented Slipshod Singers and soloist Margaret Theadgold, the centre was transformed into the Royal Albert Hall with a programme of patriotic music mirroring the Last Night of the Proms.
Saturday's events included a fancy-dress procession, organised by Cowes Carnival Committee, which marched from East Cowes Town Hall, via the floating bridge, and through Cowes.
It was started by East Cowes mayor Cllr Margaret Pryor and Cowes Rotary Club president Peter Morgan-Crockett and led by Wight Diamonds Marching band.
It also featured Greenmount Samba, Raw Samba, Cowes carnival queens and numerous dragons.
Cowes mayor Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox, Karen Newton, a prospective rotarian, and Anna Morgan-Crockett, the rotary club's public relations officer, picked the winners.
Among them were George and the Dragon, aka Whippingham Primary School students Daisy and Carmen Jepson, seven and four.
Other events included morris dancing by Oyster Girls Morris, country dancing by youngsters from Broadlea Primary and Love Lane Primary, and a Shakespearean Pageant of Henry V by students from Cowes High.
There was also a Viking Camp, psychic readings, inflatables, face painting and a tug-of-war contest.
Artwork by Island students was exhibited in Northwood House while there was also a display and sale of work by the IW Art Club.
Charities including Newport's Earl Mountbatten Hospice and the RNLI were also represented at the event, which was sponsored by organisations including Cowes Town Council, Northwood Garage, the Local Network Fund and Red Funnel.
Sunday's programme also included an antiques fair, a display of around 150 classic cars and motorcycles exhibited by organisations including the Vectis MG Club, the IW Austins Club and Brough Superior bikes, a performance by the IW Youth Concert Band, a display of miniature ships and an inter-club bowling match.
Money raised from the event will go into the Cowes Rotary Club charity fund.

Full report, results and more pictures in the Friday, April 27, County Press.

BY GEORGE, PATRIOTISM ON PARADE

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