CRY God for Harry, England and Saint George – thousands of people came together in Yate to mark St George’s Day on the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.

The country’s patron saint was celebrated on Saturday (April 23) with an array of traditional English entertainment including Morris dancers, a brass band, medieval demonstrations and a parade featuring St George himself.

The event, on St Mary’s Green outside Yate Heritage Centre, was supported by neighbouring St Mary’s Church and the White Lion pub.

It was officially opened by Yate mayor Cllr Tony Davis before a parade was led from the centre to Yate Shopping Centre and back again.

Community heritage officer and organiser David Hardill said: “We had a fantastic day on Saturday and despite the cooler conditions, it was a really busy day.

“Although there were slightly fewer youth acts, we seemed to have a good spread of footfall throughout the whole day and we recorded 2,066 people.

“The acts went down really well with newcomers the Whiskey Headed Buddies and the Apollo Wind Band and our usual favourite Rag Morris dancers and Thornbury Brass Band plus more activities than ever before including lots of medieval St George demonstrators including the Richard III society, a Medieval pardoner from Gloucester and St George performing with parts of the audience.”

Thornbury and Yate MP Luke Hall attended to meet members of the public and South Gloucestershire Council and Yate Town Council helped to fund the event.