ST GEORGE'S DAY
| Published: 9th March 2007 21:17 |
ST GEORGE'S DAY
England wants to celebrate - and by George there's no place like home
For the first time, England is to have a national day of celebration on St George's Day on April 23 and three-quarters (74 per cent) of us think it's a good idea. Seven in ten (72 per cent) are keen for it to be made into a bank holiday.
According to Ipsos MORI research* published today and conducted to gauge public opinion in England, a third (33 per cent) say they would be likely to celebrate the day with family or friends; a quarter (26 per cent) say they would be likely to celebrate by attending a local community event and 20 per cent say they would be likely to have a drink at their local pub in celebration.
The results are no surprise to Chairman and National Organiser Bruno Peek OBE, MVO, who believes the celebration is long overdue. "We all lead such busy lives that we often fail to appreciate the place in which we live. England is home to almost 50 million people. They are of multiple nationalities, come from various backgrounds and practice different beliefs and family traditions. However, they share one important factor in common - England is their home," he says.
Three leading charities - AICR (Association for International Cancer Research); RNID, representing the 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK and WRVS, the leading volunteering organisation helping older people get more out of life, (formerly known as the Women's Royal Voluntary Service) - have been chosen to benefit from the fundraising celebrations.
These involve national and regional competitions with big cash prizes, including the search to find a modern day St George and Rose of England, best-dressed pub and house and schools' poetry competition.
Every one of the country's 50 cities has signed up to play a role in the reintroduction of the Loving Cup of England ceremony**, a tradition which dates back more than a thousand years. The organisers believe this three-month grand tour of specially commissioned silver gilt Cup, worth £30,000, will form an important part in the build up to the St George's Day celebrations. It will be filled with English apple juice to enable people from all walks of life to drink from it in an act of peace, friendship and harmony within their community.
Ipsos MORI also asked people to choose which words most closely describe their views about England. Top of the list was "historical" (with 55 per cent), followed closely by "multicultural" (48 per cent), "home" (42 per cent) and "tolerant" (42 per cent).
According to Bruno, who has played a major role in many national events over the last 25 years, including the Millennium celebrations and The Queen's Golden Jubilee, the idea is that people of all ages and from different backgrounds and cultures organise their own events at home and work or in their local pub, school and community. And at 10.45 pm on April 23 they will be asked to stop what they are doing and raise a glass to the toast 'England and St George'.
He explains: "This gives us the chance to have a sense of pride in our country and the opportunity to raise thousands of pounds for three very deserving charities. We surveyed men and women from all ages and backgrounds, from Newcastle to Newquay, and Birmingham to Brighton, people reflected absolutely what most of us who call England home think about it. And what heartens me most of all is that 62 per cent feel that by celebrating St George's Day we would build community spirit by bringing everyone together."
Dr. Mark Matfield, AICR's Chief Scientific Adviser says: "We are proud and delighted to be involved in such an important event that will raise not only funds but valuable profile for our great causes. We expect the public in their various ways and communities will choose to celebrate England on this special day. This will be a first and its great that the organisers have understood the added value that involving the voluntary sector can bring to such an event."
Dr John Low, Chief Executive RNID says: "Our involvement in the St George's Day celebrations seemed a natural partnership to make: just as St George was a champion for the vulnerable and disadvantaged, so RNID fights to slay the dragons of injustice, neglect and discrimination that deaf and hard of hearing people face everyday. Not only will the celebrations raise vital funds for our work, but the spirit of unity in which they'll be raised will promote equality and inclusion."
Mark Lever, Chief Executive WRVS adds: "WRVS is proud to be part of the St George's Day celebrations. Bringing communities together is an important part of our work and St George's Day will help do that throughout England, and raise money that will help us provide more support to older people throughout the country."
More than 150,000 copies of a free 34-page guide to taking part in the run up to and on April 23 are being distributed later this month and will include fundraising ideas and competitions. The guide will be reproduced on an interactive website, www.celebratestgeorgesday.com (external link) which will be activated today (Tuesday, January 16, 2007).
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For further information:
RNID Media Relations Office, telephone 020 7296 8137 or for out of hours 07944 038 635
For further information from Ipsos MORI about this study or our charities research, please contact Michele Corrado or Jo Slaymaker on 020 7347 3000
Michele.corrado@ipsos-mori.com
Jo.slaymaker@ipsos-mori.com
* Ipsos MORI interviewed a representative quota sample of 1,712 adults aged 15+ in 175 sampling points across England. Interviews were carried out face-to-face, in home, using Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI), as part of the Ipsos MORI Social Issues Omnibus. Fieldwork was conducted between 7 and 12 December, 2006
** A full list of the Grand Tour of the Loving Cup of England (dates, times and locations) is included in the Press Pack or available on the official website featured above.
The organisers would like to encourage local media to run competitions in each of the categories listed in the Guide to Taking Part or on the official website (www.celebratestgeorgesday.com (external link)) to find regional winners to go forward to the national finals.
Visit the RNID website
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PATRICIA ROBINSON TQ12 SITE EDITOR
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