St George’s Day celebrations set to make an interactive online return for 2021!
April 15th 2021
The famous Tamworth annual St George’s Day celebrations organised by Tamworth Borough Council’s Arts & Events team is set to make a virtual return for 2021.
This year’s fun-filled interactive online event will be taking place across Friday 23rd April and Saturday 24th April and includes a great line-up of online workshops for you to enjoy safely at home or in the classroom at a later date.
Saint George’s Day, also known as the Feast of Saint George, is celebrated annually on the 23rd April. The legend of St George, England’s patron saint, tells of a brave knight on horseback slaying a beastly dragon to save the princess from giving her life to the dragon as the village had run out of treasures and livestock offerings.
It is a day that is widely celebrated with the raising of the St George’s Day flag which can be seen flying high at Tamworth Castle and is a celebration that usually draws a crowd of thousands of visitors to the Castle Grounds to watch re-enactments, jousting and to take part in medieval workshops.
This year, while the event can’t go ahead in the usual format due to the ongoing coronavirus restrictions, you are cordially invited to virtually partake in a great range of online workshops, suitable for all the family. These include: dragon puppet making, purse making, a dramathlon, medieval game making, storytelling and heraldry. All workshops will be virtually accessible via the Tamworth Arts and Events social media channels and website.
A full list of workshops, times and details will be available across these mediums nearer to the time, and where needed, a materials list will be shared so as you can see what you will need to get involved, get creative and get crafting.
All activities are FREE of charge, and if you miss the original time slot for the online workshops, the link will continue to be accessible to come back and enjoy at a time that suits you.
Adey Ramsel, Theatre, Artistic and Events Manager for Tamworth Borough Council, said, “As one of our most popular, anticipated and celebrated events, we are delighted to be able to bring a great range of online interactions for people to enjoy for this year’s virtual St George’s Day celebrations.”
“Despite the pandemic and government roadmap meaning we are unable to host this event in our usual fashion at the Castle Grounds, we are happy to have been able to collaborate with great creative businesses to bring this event to life online.”
“We hope that people enjoy it and can get involved and thank the businesses who have helped us to make this online St George’s events programme possible.”
For full details about the interactive St George’s Day, please visit:
Virtual St George's Day Celebration 2021 | Tamworth Arts and Events
The online workshops be avilable for you to enjoy from Friday 23rd April.
Medieval Game Making
People of the medieval ages loved to play games in their free time (this was before the days of TV, social media and computers!). Games were a great way to have fun and socialise. Join this fabulous online workshop to learn all about medieval games such as Quoits and Chess, as well as being shown how to make your very own medieval game of Nine Mens Morris.
Things you will need:
- A4 Paper
- Black Felt
- Scissors ( supervision from an adult required)
- Pencil
- Ruler
- 9 counters each ( 9 x 1p 9 x 2p)
- 1 x 50p coin
Dragon Quest
Your once in a life time chance for an extraordinary encounter with a Goblin Queen and her huge and ancient dragon! Let go of reality and enter the world of fairy tale and myth as you become involved in goblin mischief and are entranced by the enchanting, smoke breathing, true to life dragon.
The mystical duo have travelled to the human world on this long journey from the land of Goble, to find out why the dragon’s eggs are no longer hatching . The Goblin Queen may tether her beast to you as she makes her investigations, or you may be chosen to sit on and incubate one of the Dragon’s eggs!
Purse Making
In this creative workshop you will learn all about the uses of medieval purses, as well as being able to make your very own. Let the fun begin!
Things you will need:
- Pencil
- Plate or round object to draw around
- Darning Needle
- String/ Wool
- Material or Jeye Cloth ( blue and white cleaning cloth)
- Hole Punch
- Scissors
George and Dragon Storytelling
Hear all about the Medieval story of George and the Dragon whilst learning how to master the skills of being a knight. In this workshop, you will receive extra special training from a knight. Time ot get battle ready!
Heraldry & Shield Making Workshop
Learn all about the art of shield making and Heraldry, with the opportunity to make your own shield.
Things you will need:
- Card/ Cardboard
- Paper
- Pencil
- Felts/ Paints/ Crayons
- Tissue Paper (Optional)
Dragon Puppet Making Workshop
The dragon is one of the most popular elements of the St. Georges Day Event. As you cant meet the dragon this year, why not have a go at making your own?
Things you will need
- One green sock (or the colour of the dragon you choose to make!) –
- Some cardboard
- Coloured Tissue paper to go with your dragon colour. Ours is green. - Coloured Felt ( Green and Red )
- Masking tape
- A lot of PVA glue
- Garden wire or pipe cleaners
- Paint, acrylic or poster paint
- A needle and cotton
- Two dried beans, split peas or beads
- Scissors - Paintbrushes
- A marker pen and pencil
Don’t forget your downloadable template!
Dye Making Workshop
Learn all about the method of medieval dyeing and you can even have a go yourself.
What you will need:
- Jam Jars
- Daffodil Flowers
- String
- Red Cabbage
- Vinegar
- Onion Skins
- Scrap Material- Old T-towel/T-shirt
Medieval Aurora Toy and Friendship Bracelet Workshop
During this workshop you will learn how to make a beautiful friendship bracelet and an aurora spinning toy. These toys and bracelets are still used now.
Things you will Need for the Aurora:
- Thick Card- Old Shoebox
- Scissors
- Compass
- Pencil
- String
Things you will need for the Bracelets:
- Card
- Threads
- Pencil
- Scissors
A Very Special Online Jousting Spectacular
Wow, aren’t we lucky! The amazing Cavalry of Heroes who perform all of the live jousts at our usual celebrations at the Castle Grounds, have filmed a very special treat for you to enjoy. Watch this amazing joust show online (it will take around 15-20 minutes). Trust us, it is well worth the watch!
