The streets of Gravesend were turned into a sea of red and white as the town celebrated St George’s Day.

The annual Saint George’s Day Parade and celebrations took place in Gravesham today (Friday), the last school day before the actual saint’s day on Sunday.

About 600 children from 11 local schools took part in the event which was organised by Cohesion Plus in partnership with Kent Equality Cohesion Council and supported by Gravesham council in what were some of the biggest celebrations taking place in England.

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The aim was to celebrate the patron Saint of England and bring together the diverse communities in Gravesham to mark the important day.

Before the procession started there was entertainment in the town centre with performances by the Premier Brass Band, Big Fish Arts and the Bollywood Brass Band which warmed up the gathering crowd.

The parade was led by Saint George, played by Gravesham resident Russel Palmer, and started outside Saint George’s Church.

It also featured special guests the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Dr Bhargwara Vasudaven and the Mayor of Gravesham, Cllr Greta Goatley as well as performances by the brass bands, Four by Four Dhol Drummers, stilt walkers and comedy medieval jesters and Shakespearian actors.

The parade went up the High Street into King Street, through Saint George’s Shopping Centre and then headed back through town before finishing on Community Square.

Throughout the parade, scores of spectators waved their flags of Saint George and encouraged the children as the parade went by.

Once at Community Square, the 600 children sang Happy Birthday to HM The Queen before listening to the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, who is the Queen’s representative in Kent, thank everyone for their participation.

Following more entertainment, the flags of Saint George were raised over Community Square.

Not to be outdone, it was then the turn of school children in Dartford, who too had been learning about England's patron saint and creating artwork to carry in their own parade.

Theirs took place later on Friday, when about 500 children from 10 schools took part.

Before the procession started there was entertainment on the High Street with performances by the West Hill Morris, Premier Brass Band, Big Fish Arts and the Bollywood Brass Band which attracted a large crowd.

The schools gathered outside the Civic Centre for the parade which again featured Saint George plus special guests the Mayor of Dartford, Cllr John Burrell and Gareth Johnson MP as well as performances by the brass bands, Four by Four Dhol Drummers, stilt walkers and comedy medieval jesters and Shakespearian actors.

The parade climaxed in Central Park by the Band Stand where the 500 school children also sang Happy Birthday to HM The Queen before watching a short programme of entertainment which climaxed with the Premier Brass Band playing Land of Hope of Glory and the National Anthem.

Gurvinder Sandher, who led on the organisation of the celebrations, said: “I really do believe that other parts of the country could learn from what we are doing here and how we use Saint George’s Day to bring diverse communities together, to celebrate our shared values.

“We use the celebrations as a source of promoting unity and cohesion rather than discord and segregation.

“I am grateful to all the young people who worked so hard in the build-up and our partners including Gravesham and Dartford councils and Arts Council England for their on-going support.”

For a picture special. see Thursday's Messenger.