Annual parade will see traditional flag unfurling in Stratford town centre
THE countdown is under way to this year’s Shakespeare Birthday celebrations.
The date for the main events is set for Saturday, April 20 and Stratford Town Council is once again leading the way in the preparations, notably the parade and flag unfurling.
Timings have been worked out for these key ingredients and the council’s civic officer Charles Wilson said they hoped to be hearing soon about the plans being made by Pragnell’s, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and the Royal Shakespeare Company for the weekend.
It all comes together to offer a busy programme across the weekend – including other traditional elements such as the Sunday service at Holy Trinity Church – ensuring plenty of interest for the visitors who throng the streets.
The town council, working with the district council, take care of the civic elements and while those elements will follow the traditional pattern, Mr Wilson added that other ideas had emerged at the town council’s task and finish group meeting about the event: “We’re hoping to encourage people to dress up and add a little more colour to the day.
“We are also potentially exploring having some kind of performance space for am dram groups or local musicians as another way to reinforce the community aspect of the weekend.
“Once the parade has gone past, there are a number of open spaces around the town that could come into their own.”
The Herald has previously reported about the rising costs facing the council but Mr Wilson said there was, “money in the funds to pay for this year”.
Further details about the weekend’s activities will be released in due course.
