See Karpet Kickers Live Park Videos on What's On Page Above!
or at this link http://stgeorgespark.weebly.com/whats-on
We had aimed for the biggest and best St George's Day Family Fun and Discovery Event and that is precisely what we got. Thanks to all who participated in making this a really great day especially the stewards who ensured the event ran smoothly and without hitch. A good day too for the Worcestershire County Council Library Bus who signed up 13 new members and loaned over 60 books to children from the locality. Ian Craigan's one man Mummer Play St George and the Dragon was a great hit with the children and parents/grandparents alike!
We feel really pleased that the event was such a success thanks to the involvement of many in the community, who proved that even when resources are tight - much can be achieved by working together. It is interesting that because the event is free, performers and providers enter into the spirit of it and work with us to deliver our outcomes within our limited budget. We received donations from the Karpet Kickers and other service providers and members of the public and cut the costs significantly - due to the fantastic good will of all involved in our event. With special thanks to West Merica Police, Wyre Forest District Council, St George's Church, Wyre Forest Islamic Community Group and Kidderminster Library. The Karpet Kickers were as always completely brilliant and we are particularly proud of the local roots of the band...the singer Gehardt Kruckow is also the Wildlife Officer of Friends of St George's Park. This great day which involved all of the local community and visitors from further afield demonstrates yet again what self help and determination can achieve in an area like Horsefair. People told us they had a great time which is good since that was the reason we did it in the first place. Our event has made St George's Day a shared celebration irrespective of our backrounds, ages or gender. Here's a few bits of video shot between doing a lot of other stuff and enjoying the day. The weather wasn't too unkind although the wind damaged our new gazebo, the rain held off until after we had packed the whole show away. Here's a bit of what was going on as we got together to celebrate St George's Day 2015. We have made St George the patron saint of community togetherness as well as of England itself (and quite a few other places too as it happens). Here's the trailer to the Movie St George's Day 2015 in the People's Park of 1927. The Friends group are pleased to report that this year's St George's Day Family Fun and Discovery Event, our sixth, will be bigger and better than any before it. On 25 April between 12 midday and 4pm a pop-up festival that is now taking shape will be the third one organised entirely by residents and volunteers literally at the park's grassroots and working to make a difference in the green spaces in the Horsefair/Greenhill areas. While political boundaries periodically change it remains a social fact that St George's Park is at the point where the Horsefair, Greenhill and Kidderminster town centre meet. Anyone visiting us here on our website or any other social media where the Friends group are active like our Facebook, Streetlife and Twitter pages - will probably already know that we regularly organise work parties and are involved in Let's Eat the Park (LEAP) project planting free food in the parks and green spaces in Horsefair. Our St George's Day event has also become a bit of a local institution. In 2013 the event won the WFDC Community Event of the Year Award (we remain current holders) for the Family Fun and Discovery Event, the free festival organised with funds raised by people living in the locality and supporting their local park, unpaid volunteers who form the committee and the majority of the membership of the Friends of St George's Park. This upcoming event is a celebration of England's patron saint and a park dedicated to him - which was also in the case of our park - the People's Park - donated by the town's political and industrial leaders to the people of Kidderminster in 1927, in recognition of their carpet weaving skills. Today local park activists are trying to weave new patterns in our park and green spaces. So this DIY free festival on Horsefair and Greenhill's traditional boundaries is also a celebration of the 'people' - the local community as a whole and their support for the projects FoSGP volunteers are actively involved in. Historically the main focus of these St George's Day events has always been on children and their families - and this is still true this year, but in 2015 we aim to broaden the appeal of the event with some new attractions that might appeal to a wider age group. This will include a bungee run and possibly other activities yet to be confirmed, as well as the customary bouncy castle for younger children and many other child centred activities and events. Volunteers of FoSGP have therefore designed two posters this year to advertise the event - one aimed at younger children and being distributed to schools and another intended for parents and adults generally We always hold this event on the Saturday closest to St George's Day on 23 April (providing it isn't also Easter - which can happen) - so this year it's going to be on Saturday 25th April.
Attractions so far confirmed are the brilliant local rock band the Karpet Kickers (featuring FoSGP wildlife officer Gehardt Kruckow aka 'Cookie' on vocals); PTR Williams (singer/songwriter/guitar player/LEAP logo designer); back again this year by popular demand is the Severn & Teme Scout and Guide Band and also street theatre George and the Dragon (Mummer Play) by Puppet Tree; inflatable fun provided by Quads and Castles; storytelling by Kidderminster Library staff and all the usual favourites including face painting, table top stalls, St George's Church events, ice-cream and a scout run barbecue etc. More added all the time! Obviously the one uncertain factor in England at any time of year, but in April in particular, is the weather. We are all hoping for a nice sunny afternoon when everyone can enjoy all of the attractions and events safely and discover new interests or just have a few hours of free fun. More announcements will be made on the What's On page above as plans are finalised - so please look out for updates here and also on our social media.... We look forward to seeing you at the St George's Day Family Fun and Discovery Event 2015! |
Friends of St George's ParkWe are an active community group that is committed to working with others in order to further develop and improve St George's Park in Kidderminster for all of the community to enjoy. Tell people about usRespectWe welcome different ideas and opinions on how to improve our park and we hope you will share yours with us. Please remember this is a community based website and whilst we will not censor different opinions we will remove any posts that are offensive or abusive. Archives
November 2022
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