Member Article

‘Geordie’ business people rebuke claims from British Future

A group of North East business people who are arranging an event to celebrate ‘Geordieness’ around St Georges Day have rebuked claims from a thinktank that Geordies feel least belonging to England.

The British Future State of the Nation Report 2012 published by the thinktank British Future suggests that people in the North East “feel less British than the Scots” and have “the highest population (40%) who don’t feel strong belonging to England”.

Amy Smith, who is one of the organisers of St Geordie’s Day, a new charity-led event to celebrate regional and national pride said in response of the report,

“I really hope the Geordie nation take St Geordie’s Day to their hearts to show this thinktank that people in the region are proud to be Geordies and proud to be English.”

“We don’t want to be totally dismissive of the report, because it does throw up a number of interesting points - not least it classifies all people from the North East as Geordies, which is something we would be interested for them to clarify.”

Designed to raise money for local charities as a celebration of North East England, St Geordie’s Day will take place on the Friday before St George’s Day each year.

Organised by a politically neutral group of local business people, the event will provide an unashamed celebration of pomp, ceremony and all things North East and English. Along with a regional menu featuring Durham Roast Beef, Craster Kippers and Brown Ale Bread & Butter Pudding, Wylam Brewery are producing a St Geordie’s Day Ale especially for the occasion.

Regarding the event Amy Smith went on to say,

“Although absolutely a bit of fun, the serious side to St Geordie’s Day is that we’re hoping to raise money for some great causes, and it’s an opportunity for people who really believe in our region to come together and celebrate the North East. What’s not to like about an event where you can wave a St George’s flag and sing the Blaydon Races and Jerusalem accompanied by a brass band?”

The first St Geordie’s Day event will be held on Friday 20thApril 2012 at the Newcastle Marriott Gosforth Park.

For further details please check www.stgeordiesday.co.uk; Facebook: St Geordies Day; Twitter: @stgeordiesday

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jennifer Westmoreland .