Revellers fly flag for St George

VIDEO
REVELLERS from both sides of the River Medina got together to celebrate England’s patron saint.
Cowes Rotary Club staged two days of free fun in Northwood Park, Cowes, at the weekend to celebrate St George’s Day.
Events included a modest carnival procession in fancy dress, led by the Wight Diamonds Marching Band, from East Cowes Town Hall to Northwood Park on Saturday morning.
Island MP Andrew Turner and Cowes mayor Cllr Geoff Banks officially opened this year’s St George’s Day celebrations.
The previous evening, a gala concert was held at Cowes Yacht Haven featuring the Royal British Legion Central Band. In aid of charities, the concert included rousing marches, jazz, anthems, show songs, traditional proms favourites and the best of The Beatles.
Also featured was a performance by Island ensemble The Slipshod Singers.
East Cowes mayor Cllr Margaret Lloyd judged the procession fancy dress entries.
The weather was kind to visitors over the weekend and Northwood Park had various stalls and an array of entertainment.
These included Randini’s Punch and Judy show, morris dancing by the Wight Bells and the Oyster Girls, music from the Carisbrooke High School Jazz Band, tug o' war and a battle re-enactment by the Wolfguard Viking Group. Other family fun included face painting, coconut shy, archery, trampolining and fortune telling.
Cowes Rotary Club president Barry Myland said: “It was a very good event and the weather was kind to us. We put on something free for families and the community came out and supported it. Finances permitting, we aim to run another one next year.”
• Full coverage of St George's Day events in the Friday, May 1, County Press.

Reporter: jonm@iwcpmail.co.uk