2 days of community celebrations have been arranged by Cohesion Plus working in partnership to celebrate Saint George the patron saint of England across Gravesham and Dartford.

The annual celebrations are supported by Dartford Borough Council, Kent Equality Cohesion Council, and Arts Council England.

On Saturday April 20th there will be a programme of activity in Dartford Town Centre between 10am and 2pm including an opportunity to have a selfie with Saint George and the Dragon, as well as music and entertainment for families to enjoy supported by Dartford Borough Council.

Then on Saint George’s Day itself April 23rd the festivities start in Gravesend Town Centre at 9.45am and finish at 11.30am and take place in Dartford between 12.45pm and 2.30pm the focal point of each event will the schools parade.

Over the past few weeks local schools have been taking part in creative arts workshops led by event partners Same Sky, to create Saint George themed shields, dragons and signs which also carry messages of friendship, unity and community to be shared on the day.

25 schools will be taking part across the 2 boroughs and in addition there will be a programme of entertainment including traditional and contemporary brass bands, North Indian Dhol and Southern African Djembe drummers, folk musicians, Morris Dancers, Saint George himself and a large scale dragon.

The key messaging of the events is to celebrate and showcase a culturally diverse England within the context of 2024 and how regardless of ethnicity, faith and background, everyone can come together to celebrate. The events are also an opportunity to learn about Saint George the patron saint of England and his legacy.

Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL the Artistic Director of Cohesion Plus commented “We are proud to again be in a position to produce some of the largest Saint George’s Day celebrations taking place in England. This year has been especially challenging with some of our longstanding partners dropping out but nonetheless with the support of local schools, community partners, Dartford Borough Council and Arts Council England we will be able to deliver what I believe will be 2 memorable events in Gravesham and Dartford. I hope like in previous years that the local community will come out and wave the flag of Saint George with pride.”