PLANS are well in hand for celebrations to mark St George's Day, later this month.
Ripon Cathedral is at the forefront of celebrations with a service marking the 1700th anniversary of the death of England's patron saint.
The service will be held at 2pm on Sunday, April 27, hosted by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Reverend John Methuen, and North Yorkshire's Lord Lieutenant, Lord Crathorne.
There is some doubt about whether St George died 1,700 years ago, or even if he existed at all.
Dean Methuen said: "We do not know whether St George really existed, where he lived, where he died and certainly not the date and year when these events are supposed to have taken place.
"But, St George, like all patron saints, stands as a symbol of our national identity."
Members of the Royal Society of St George have welcomed initiatives across the county to mark the anniversary, which falls on Wednesday, April 23.
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