3:10pm Wednesday 25th April 2012
CHERYL Cole, Charlie Chaplin, Bobby Moore and Florence Nightingale were just some of the famous English people spotted on St George’s Day in Thurrock.
Children at Deneholm Primary School, in Culford Road, Grays, had got into the spirit of the day by dressing up as famous English men and women, past and present, or their favourite book characters.
Deputy head Andy Douglas said: “Its really important to be patriotic and celebrate St George’s Day.
“Around 80 per cent of the children have dressed up today, and some of them have made the extra effort of actually making their own costume, which is great to see.”
Other primary schools around the borough, such as Chadwell St Mary Primary, in Riverview, celebrated by dressing in red and white clothes instead of their usual blue and white uniforms.
They also had a special assembly about why St George is patron saint of England, and took part in activities around the theme, as well as enjoying a special lunch.
Thurrock Gazette columnist, and Thurrock Museum curator, Jonathan Catton, brought the story of St George and the dragon to life at Stifford Clays Infant and Nursery School.
Jonathan picked would-be actors to re-enact the story where the dragon was slayed using the heavy life size sword that he provided from the museum collection.
He also gave a presentation on the various flags that have been flown at Thurrock’s forts, and visited all three Year 1 classes for a question and answers session.
He said: “I am very impressed with the knowledge the Year 1 children have gained from their topic work on the painting St George and the Dragon by Paulo Uccelli.”
The mayor’s annual St George’s Day service, at St Peter and St Paul’s Church, in High Street, Grays, was held on Sunday.
For the first time, veterans and other borough organisations carrying their standards, led a parade from Thurrock Council’s offices in Grays to the church.
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