77110-47THE spirit of St George's Day is alive and kicking in Swindon. Patriotic people across the town will be marking the day today when St George triumphed in his battle with a dragon.

But, it seems some people think Swindon should do more to celebrate our national day and take some lessons from the Irish, Scottish and Welsh.

Lloyd James, chairman of the Royal Society of St George, Wiltshire Branch is a champion of the day.

The civil servant set the society up in 2003 and now membership has grown from 17 to 60.

He said: "Anyone who lives in England and feels passionate about our history, culture, heritage and even food should celebrate.

"In medieval times St George's Day was a bigger celebration than Christmas."

He is also supporting the idea that he day should be turned into a bank holiday.

The suitably-named Patriot Arms pub in Chiseldon will be doing its best today to ensure it is the busiest pub in the town.

Michael Brightman, 39, has been landlord for the last six years and he is determined to inject as much enthusiasm as possible into the celebrations.

The pub is staging a mini-festival all day to celebrate all things English.

Mr Brightman said: "I think it's very important to celebrate our patron saint.

"And it's a good excuse for people to enjoy themselves at the same time as remembering our roots."

The pub is being decked in bunting and flags. There will be a classic English real ale festival and a special menu, which will feature an English favourites, including steak and kidney pudding and lamb chops.

Tomorrow the Swindon Ridgeway Scouts will march through town.

Beavers, Cubs and Scouts will be marching, carrying a flag from Havelock Street, along Commercial Road to Holy Road Church in Groundwell Road.

Scout leader Tessa Lanstein said: "It's always been important for Scouts to celebrate this English day."

At the Leapfrog Day Nursery, at St Andrews Ridge, 38 children celebrated a day early yesterday inside a paper mache cave.

Sam New, base room manager at the nursery, thought it was important for the children to understand their own culture.

She said: "We don't celebrate St George's Day enough but we wanted the children to recognise the day"

The children have been busy making the cave, a 3ft-tall dragon and swords to set the scene.

They had the St George cross painted on their face and also made flags to decorate the nursery.

Sam said: "The children were really enthusiastic about the day, they had a great time.

"The children have gained a lot from the day."

But a pensioner from Greenmeadow thinks Swindon should be doing even more.

Rex Barnett, 66, believes celebrations like this can bind communities together.

He said: "We fly the Union Jack, but we're all scared for some reason to fly the St George Flag except at football matches.

"We are an English market town so why don't we celebrate this.

"I'm proud to be English so why aren't we all."

Rex will be flying his St George's Flag proudly from his home.

Lyndsay Scanlan