PATRIOTIC fevour was in evidence across Huntingdonshire on Saturday with a variety of events and activities celebrating St George’s Day.

In Huntingdon, members of the Air Cadet Force Corp of Drums set the tempo by leading a parade down from Pathfinder House down the High Street to Chequer’s Court.

A minor glitch meant the parade failed to stop at the Market Square for a bugle call outside the Town Hall.

At Chequer’s Court the band were presented to Huntingdon mayor Jennifer Sarabia, deputy mayor Susan Mulcahy and chairman of Huntingdonshire District Council Jeff Dutton.

There was a chance to watch the story of England’s patron saint came to life with an enactment by members of the Walton Historical Services of St George slaying the dragon, and Huntingdon Drama Club performed the Mummers Play St George and the Turkish Night.

Youngsters also got in on the act with a fancy dress parade in honour of England’s patron saint.

The day was rounded off with a service at St Mary’s Church and a dinner organised by the Royal Society of St George at the Old Bridge Hotel.

Tea and coffee were provided by Huntingdon Twinning Association and Prima restaurant provided refreshment for the air cadets free-of-charge.

Councillor Dutton, who organised the day, said he was delighted with the turn-out, and pledged to put on a bigger event next year. A tombola held on the day raised �130 towards Cllr Dutton’s selected charities.

“We started off two years ago with a flag-raising and last year we did another flag-raising with a lot of the forces people there.

“This year it was the first time we decided to do a procession and the first time the district council and (Huntingdon) town council and the Royal Society of St George have worked together.

“My idea when I first decided to do it was get people out and get people into the town on an Easter Saturday, and that is what we did.

“I want to thank everybody who was concerned. It went really well.”

Cllr Sarabia said she was impressed with the level of skill and commitment from the band.

“I thought it was fabulous. The band were very young and some of them were carrying big instruments, but the music was spot-on.

“There could have been more people. There is so much doom and gloom, if there is any chance of celebrating anything, everyone should go there and have a bit of fun.”

In Eynebsury, a St George’s celebration combined with a celebration of the village’s most famous son - James Toller, who at eight feet tall is known as the Eynesbury Giant.

Local historian Peter Ibbett took visitors on a guided tour of the village, helping them to trace the story of James, who died aged 20 in 1818.

Mr Ibbett said: “We walked around and I pointed out things the giant would have seen and what Eynesbury was like in 1815. It was just the end of the age of being totally agricultural. Gradually factories appeared and the population expanded, but James was from an agricultural family.”

There were also fun and games at Eynesbury Green, including jugglers, conjurers, ventriloquists, a display by the majorettes from St Neots Sentinels and a display by St Neots folk dance group Heartease,

There were also fun and games at Eynesbury Green, including jugglers, conjurers, ventriloquists, and a display by St Neots folk dance group Heartease,

Dog lovers got a chance to show off their pooches at the event’s dog show.

Organiser Georgina Corley, secretary of the Eynesbury Village Association (EVA) said “We were really happy with it. It has been a real success.

“One of our aims at EVA is not only to be a community voice, but to give affordable entertainment for the villagers.”