10:30am Sunday 7th June 2009
Skipton hotelier Malcolm Weaving is sending a petition to local MP David Curry in the hope it will prompt an official saint’s day holiday for England.
Mr Weaving, who runs the Rendezvous Hotel with his wife, Karen, hosted a St George’s Day dinner and invited guests to put their signature to an appeal.
It calls for the nearest Monday to the saint’s day – April 23 – to be made an official celebration day and to replace the current May bank holiday.
More than 300 people signed the petition, which is now heading to Mr Curry.
It is hoped he will deliver it into official hands. Mr Weaving said the petition and those who took part would make a real difference to the future of the nation’s annual celebrations.
“We have really given our diners the opportunity to shape the future memory of our patron saint,” he said.
“We’re delighted so many of our customers share our passion and pride in all things English and we’re hopeful that our united front will go some way towards improving the nation’s celebrations in the future.”
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