THE programme of events to celebrate 800 years of the church in Hinton St George get off to a roaring start on Friday (April 23).

Events to mark the anniversary, which were put on hold last year due to Covid, start off with a dragon procession to mark St George's Day.

The pupils of Hinton St George School are today (Monday) making a dragon with the help of Dorset-based artist Darrell Wakelam.

Then at 11am on Friday, they will process with it through the village to St. George's Church, where it will meet with St George in the churchyard.

Despite current restrictions, the event can take place as the school is deemed to be a single bubble.

Sadly however, it will not be possible to invite parents and the general public as this would breach the bubble.

The school plans to record the procession and make a film of the event available subsequently.

Other planned events held over from 2020 include:

Sunday, July 11 at 11am: Celebratory church service in St George's Church, followed by a street party in Church Drive.

Sunday, August 1, at 10.15am: Beating the Bounds, a walk round the parish boundary, meeting in the church hall car park with your own picnic.

Saturday, September 4, at b7pm: Grand Village Pageant, starting from St. George's Church.