St George returns to Chester on Tuesday 23rd April

A fire breathing dragon has been spotted heading for Chester, and the call has been made for St George to return and defeat it.

On Tuesday 23rd April, Chester will be celebrating St George’s Day with a tournament to pick a brave knight to slay the Dragon and save the princess in a street performance with local school children. 

Through a roaming street performance, artist Russell Kirk tells the St George legend with street tournaments starting at 11am in Town Hall Square. If you thought you knew the St George legend, think again as Chester’s ‘nearly true’ story is told.

Russell will welcome the Chester audience:

‘All you good folk of Chester Town
Come close and listen well
I have a tale of blood and gore
And bravery to tell’

‘Of shiny knights with pointy swords
Of damsels fair and sweet
Of kings of old, with lots of gold
And very smelly feet’

Trainee knights from local primary schools: Dee Point, Arches, JH Godwin and Highfield plus Charioteers from Ancora House School will join minstrels, and jesters bringing the story to life as it moves around the city in a pageant of colour and sound.

The Lord Mayor of Chester, Councillor Sheila Little will ensure the tournament is fair and help to pick the knight worthy of slaying the Dragon.

The fast-paced performance starts at Chester Town Hall Square at 11am, moving to Eastgate Street for a test of ‘sword’ skills and Bridge Street where the knight’s ‘archery’ skills will be put to the test. The final battle will take place outside the Town Hall. Can we rely on our Patron Saint to protect us (if previous attempts are anything to go by, probably not).

Pictured - St George battling the Dragon in 2023.