I was concerned at the recent tone of debate regarding, the council funded, CV One's decison to cancel St George's day celebrations. The follwing letter, I wrote, was published in the Coventry Evening Telegraph on Saturday 5th April. Let me know what you think.."I am dismayed to hear that the St George’s day celebrations have been cancelled. This short sighted decision by CV One, a group funded by the Conservative Council, is a direct result of Tory financial incompetence. Jobs and services are being cut throughout Coventry as they try to balance a deficit of millions.
My hard working parents had emigrated from India to Coventry in the 1960’s, and found a welcoming home to raise their family. As a Coventry born kid, I believe the managers at CV One have missed an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural history of this country. A celebration to unite, not divide, the good people of this city.
Having studied at Caludon Castle, said to be the birthplace of St George, the legend of slaying the dragon is especially poignant to me. It is a powerful parable of conquering our inner demons, be it hate, envy or greed. As a nation we are more proud to be defined by our positive values of unity, tolerance and compassion. It is a tale that CV One and the Council can learn from."
9 comments:
The people of Coventry should make a stand and for this one day stay out of the City centre.
I went to last years event and only 50-60 people showed up. I therefore doubt this call will ahve much effect, like the City Farm guy said in the paper the pther week lots of people are complaining about its closure, yet did not visit/support it.
I think we should have a bank holiday on St George's Day.
But, the problem with Bally "standing up for St George" is that the Labour government nationally hasn't put this into place over the last 10 years.
As far back as 2001, the TUC was asking for more bank holidays.
http://www.tuc.org.uk/law/tuc-3584-f0.cfm
We only enjoy only eight bank holidays a year, compared to 12 in Italy, 13 in Austria, and up to 14 in Spain and Portugal.
Incidentally, it worries me that yourself, and Gary Ridley writing to the Telegraph, encourage this idea that St George was born in Coventry.
He was born in what's now Turkey in the 3rd century AD.
As for a Coventry link, if anything, when you go to Stockholm and Moscow, there are sculptures of St George everywhere, and here in Coventry, it's all Godiva and elephants!
Any true Coventrian would always say St George was born at Caludon Castle, no matter what the historical evidence says!!!
On a side point Gary Ridley mentioned some remarks he attributed to a Labour candidate making a disgraceful attack on St George. Are these true?
Gary Ridley couldn't tell his 'Arse from his Elbow'! who's cares what that incompetent fool thinks???
So the quoted comment was said by the labour candidate he mentions then, judging by this response.
Scott, Bally explicitly refers to the Legend of St George. I don't think anyone is actually suggesting that he actually killed a dragon?
As for an extra bank holiday, i completely agree we require one. However, I believe it should be based around a significant national event like the 4th July in the US and Australia day etc.
I firmly believe that Magna Carta day is the answer. The start of this countries long march to democracy.
And as for the other comments well, i do wish tory councillors would stop infiltrating this blog and leaving anonymous comments..... Mr Ridley & Mr Foster! At least have the guts to have remarks attributed to you.
With all due respect, I think you mean 'Cllr Ridley and 'Cllr Foster'. :-)
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