'It's inspirational!' British town marks 20 years of 'unifying' St George's Day celebrations as hundreds of children take part

Georgia Pearce
Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:03:22 +0000

St George’s Day revellers are out in force in the Kent town of Gravesend today and Tom Harwood was on hand to join the “inspirational” celebrations.

Speaking to GB News, Reverend Jim Fletcher praised the turnout of this year's event, and the "diversity, hospitality and inclusivity" displayed at the festivities.

He told Tom: "There's so much diversity, hospitality and inclusivity here today where we've been celebrating the life of St George.

"We've got all this energy and the parade through our town, just to show how united we are here in our town and nationally as well. It's been a wonderful celebration."

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

Highlighting the "fantastic turnout" from locals in celebrating the patron saint, President of Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara Gravesend Indi Sall said Gravesend is "known for its communities".

He told GB News: "It's fantastic. Every year we all come out, we have different faiths here, different communities.

"But one thing for sure is Gravesend is known for our communities to come out and support each other in these events, it's so fantastic.

"A fantastic turnout today, and we had a parade at the weekend where over 15,000 people turned up to that. Today is Saint George's Day, it's fantastic for everyone, enjoy the day!"

Marking the 20-year anniversary of St George's celebrations in the town, entrepreneur and philanthropist Maurice Ostro hailed the "inspirational" efforts of locals year on year.

He said: "We can see the togetherness, and it shows you that we as a United Kingdom make a Great Britain, and this is what we are all here to celebrate.

"And we must all enjoy not just the day, but the fact that Saint George is a unifying figure for us as a country."

The celebrations outside St George's Church in Gravesend were also attended by Ansar Rafiq, the Chair of Gravesend and Dartford Muslim Association.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Motorists could be fined and breach Highway Code by flying England flags for St George's Day

England's biggest St George’s cross unveiled as council vows to 'continue to fly it with pride'

Councillor sparks outrage with claims 'Palestinian' St George has 'no connection to England'

Mr Rafiq praised the diversity of different faith communities coming together to mark the day of Britain's patron saint.

He told GB News: "It's absolutely wonderful to be here as usual, and again, it's lovely to see all the different faith communities coming together.

"It's lovely to see, it's a great day today as well for it. Compared to last year it wasn't great, but today it's wonderful.

"And again, wonderful to see so many different children and different faiths groups coming together and working in Gravesham."

Hundreds of schoolchildren gathered in Gravesend to parade through the streets and celebrate their patron saint.

Celebrations are taking place up and down the country to mark St George's Day.

During his address to mark the occasion, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer railed against those attempting to create "division".

He said: "There are voices both here and abroad, who would seek to divide us, who want to set us apart from each other," he told guests, warning against those promoting "a sort of toxic culture of hatred between different individuals, different groups, different communities".