MISS ENGLAND JOINS ABELS TO MARK ST GEORGE'S DAY

Abels Moving Services is to sponsor the annual St. George’s Day celebration at the Houses of Parliament this year. St. George is the Patron Saint of England, and St. George's Day, on Thursday, April 23, is England's national day.

The St. George's Day All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) is hosting a reception and a series of media events at the Houses of Parliament on St. George's Day, attended by Miss England, Miss Laura Coleman, and the Abels team.

“It is important that the country marks St George's Day,” said Philip Pertoldi, group managing director of Abels Moving Services. “Our heritage and traditions, both mythical and real, should be celebrated enthusiastically.

“After all, they make us what we are today, forming the bedrock of what has made this country great.”

Andrew Rosindell MP, the chairman of the St. George's Day APPG, welcomed Abels' support: “St. George's Day is England's national day and should be celebrated in the same way as St Patrick's Day and St David's Day.

“Abels' support in marking St. George's Day is very much appreciated, and I hope that the rest of the country will also want to celebrate the day.”

St George's Day was once a major feast in England on a par with Christmas from the early 15th century. However, this tradition waned by the end of the 18th century, although the popularity of St George's Day has been increasing over recent years. In 2006 BBC Radio 3 ran a full programme of St George's Day events and there have been calls and campaigns to make St George's Day a public holiday.

Although Saint George is the Patron Saint of England, it is not known that St George was English and it is not certain that he ever visited England, although legend has it that he was born in Caludon Castle in Wyken, near Coventry. The best-known part of the legend is that St.George slayed a dragon, although this has never been substantiated.

St. George's emblem, a red cross on a white background, is the flag of England, and part of the British flag. The emblem was adopted by Richard The Lion Heart and brought to England in the 12th century. The king's soldiers wore it on their tunics to avoid confusion in battle.

For further information about Abels' sponsorship, please click here.