EXCLUSIVE

By Hayley Robinson

The St George’s Day festival has been a major event in town’s diary for the past eight years.

But despite the promise of almost £3,000 from Swale Borough Council, organisers have decided to pull the plug on this year’s celebrations.

Gordon Spice, president of the Swale branch of the Royal Society of St George, said he was shocked by the decision.

He said: "I’m sorry it’s not going ahead. However, last year there wasn’t much support from the shops.

"They weren’t very well decorated and it doesn’t cost a lot to buy bunting and flags and hang them up.

"There’s always a good turn out and the people on the [organising] committee do a good job.

"I think the public will be disappointed.

"We’ve got a meeting next week so I’m sure we will discuss it then."

Richard Mason, landlord of the Red Lion pub in Sittingbourne High Street, said he was shocked and disappointed.

He said: "However, we will still celebrate it [St George’s Day]. I have a band booked to play in the courtyard and we always do a BBQ and we will decorate the pub."

Nigel Fosbraey, director of Autowash, Daren Blackbourn, who runs Blackbourn TV, and Vic Brobyn, co-owner of The Petshop (pictured), organise the event on behalf of the Sittingbourne Retail Association.

They declined to comment on the exact reasons behind the decision but it’s believed to be due to a lack of funding and support.

Michelle Parnell, landlady of The Vineyard, in West Street, supports the decision.

She said: "While it does bring people into the town I understand why they’re not doing it.

"I don’t think it’s going to make much of a difference the way the economy is at the moment.

"They should leave it this year and try again next year.

"We will still celebrate it though, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t."

What are your views? Leave a comment below or emailsittingbourne@thekmgroup.co.uk