One of the biggest events of the year in Harrow is set to take place in Pinner this coming weekend as the annual St George’s Day celebrations return to the High Street. The Pinner Rotary St George’s Day event will be held on Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 12 PM to 5 PM. Thousands are expected to attend the community celebration, which includes a range of entertainment, stalls, and performances.
The High Street will be closed to traffic for the event, allowing visitors to walk freely and enjoy what’s on offer. The day will begin with bell ringing at the Parish Church, followed by a Scouts parade to the War Memorial where the young people will renew their Promise. From 12:45 PM, entertainment will take place across different areas of the High Street including a performance from Capital Connection and Morris Dancing outside the Queen’s Head pub. There will also be a Punch and Judy show on Church Farm Green.
One of the new features this year is a performance by live party band RAZORZ, who will be playing at the top of the High Street at different times during the afternoon. Pupils from Pinner Wood School will also take part in a Dragon Flag Parade, marching along the High Street with flags inspired by St George and the Dragon.
The main event of the day will be the famous Pinner Wheelbarrow Race at 3 PM. This long-standing tradition involves teams of two racing with a wheelbarrow through the streets of Pinner, stopping to drink beer along the route. The race begins at Little Common and ends at Church Farm Green. Children’s rides and face painting will also be available throughout the afternoon, and local cafés and restaurants will be open for visitors.
The event is organised by Pinner Rotary and will raise money for several charities, including My Yard and Help Change Lives. The excitement surrounding this event reflects the strong community spirit in Pinner, as residents and visitors come together to celebrate.
Meanwhile, in Hinckley, Leicestershire, St George's Day celebrations will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025. The event promises to provide entertainment for all ages, with a variety of performances planned. Bunting has been hung across Hinckley town centre in preparation for the festivities.
The programme includes performances by Tom the Tale Teller, the Bakanalia Morris dancers, a stilt-walking St George and dragon, and a new play titled "Two Women Meet in Heaven," which dramatizes a meeting in the afterlife of Hinckley writers Charlotte Brame and Elizabeth Coxhead. Motorists have been warned to expect road closures when the scout parade leaves St Mary's playground at 1:15 PM BST and heads to St Peter's RC Church.
Cat Stilling, events coordinator for Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, expressed enthusiasm for the event, stating, "The St George's Day celebrations are a hugely popular event each year. The celebrations offer something for all ages to experience while enjoying the town's shops and bustling market stalls. There is plenty for the kids to do, whatever their interests, but the adults will be kept occupied, too. There is lots going on and we look forward to seeing you."
In Ipswich, scouts from across Suffolk participated in an annual parade and church service to celebrate St George's Day on April 23, 2024. Young people and children from Wolsey District, including Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Explorer Scouts, took part in the annual St George's Day Parade. The Deputy Mayor at the time, Elango K Elavalakan of Ipswich Borough Council, inspected the parade, which was conducted by the Boys Brigade Band and led into St Mary’s le Tower on the High Street.
Following the procession, a service was led by the Reverend Tom Mumford. Wolsey District's chairman, Paul Newby, expressed satisfaction with the turnout, saying, "We are very pleased with the turnout of our young people." The celebration of St George's Day, a holiday in England observed annually on April 23, traditionally marks the death date of St George, England's patron saint.
On St George's Day, scouts march to demonstrate their promise and dedication to core scout beliefs such as trust, loyalty, and helping others in their community. This custom has its roots in the early days of scouting, as Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of scouting, often encouraged young members to emulate St George's good qualities.
As the St George's Day celebrations unfold across different towns, the community spirit and dedication to honoring England's patron saint remain strong. Whether in Pinner, Hinckley, or Ipswich, these events foster a sense of belonging and pride, bringing together people of all ages to celebrate tradition and community.
