As you probably already know, the Birmingham St Patrick’s Day Festival Parade will be taking place this Sunday, 11th March from 12:00 noon.

As in previous years, Digbeth Residents Association will be walking the parade route with a banner, and everyone is invited! If you would like to join DRA in the St Patrick’s Parade 2012, please email Secretary Pam with “St Patrick’s 2012″ in the subject line.

We will be providing suitably Irish-themed hats and garlands for participants; of course you do not have to wear any fancy dress, but if you would like to dress up, the theme of the parade this year is sport. As the parade starts at noon, we will need to be at the start of the route at Camp Hill earlier than this; we would ask anyone wanting to participate to arrive by 11:30 at the ABSOLUTE latest please.

In addition, Anne Tighe of the Spotted Dog pub has donated ten tickets for the St Patrick’s Launch Party to DRA. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Anne and the Spotted Dog warmly for their continued support of DRA; last year the Spotted Dog paid for the printing of the banner we will be reusing at this year’s parade (see inset).

If you would like to come along to the Launch Party to enjoy traditional Irish music, food and of course the craic, again please email Pam. The event will be held this Friday, 9th March, from 19:30 in the Irish Centre on Digbeth High Street; please note that in the event of over subscription, residents of Digbeth will be given priority for these tickets.

We look forward to hearing from people interested in helping DRA support the Irish Community in Digbeth.

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After I reported the Birmingham St Patrick’s Parade was in jeopardy, the local media showed interest in the story and DRA’s Chairperson, Val Wooodward, appeared on BBC WM Radio as a result.

Here, John McMahon of Birmingham’s premier Irish magazine, An Craic, has very kindly written an article for us to bring us up to date with what happened at the EGM recently:

Having successfully arranged the previous two Festivals, the St Patrick’s board have now passed on the torch to new directors – synching with the torch bearing tradition of this the Olympic year. Not surprising then that the main focus for the parade on Sunday March 11 is Irish Sport, and it is with great pleasure that the leading lights of Irish sports men and women based in Birmingham have been asked to be this year’s flag bearers. If you’re a sportsperson with Irish connections – get in touch – for yourself, your sport or your team. We’d love your support at this years parade.

Preparations are well underway to continue the great tradition of the Birmingham St Patrick’s Parade and its supporting fringe events. The civic reception and launch this year will be at The Irish Centre on Friday March 9th. Set your clocks though to be bright and early at the main event – The Parade – Sunday March 11 at twelve noon. As ever the principal feature and focus is The Birmingham Irish and its surrounding communities – blending the traditional with the contemporary: floats and walking groups from the counties, traditional marching bands, GAA groups, dancing schools and the general weird and whacky of Parade day. ‘St PatRocks’ will continue the custom started several years ago of showcasing more contemporary local Irish bands whose members have Irish roots – this will be hosted at the HMV institute.

As with previous years anyone heading to Digbeth on parade day will be submersed in a sea of green and overwhelmed by the infectious sense of such a good natured and joyous occasion. Marvel at the parade – and then enjoy the Craic in many of Digbeth’s finest hostelries – many of which remain resolutely Irish in their devotion. Other fringe events leading up to St Patrick’s Day itself include an Irish Film night, Art installation, Race night, Irish Ale night, Irish literary event and Irish music nights.

We need You. As ever being a voluntary organisation we really do count on the support of individuals – so whether you can volunteer as a steward, are keen to enter a float or walk in the parade, are prepared to help raise sponsorship for us – do contact us. And if everyone can remember to throw a pound into the collection boxes – you will be doing your community proud.

St Patrick’s Festival 2012 starts with the civic reception and launch night on Friday 9th March at The Irish Centre. For tickets and details of the launch, parade and all St Patricks’ events – visit the website at stpatricksbirmingham.com.

Thanks John!

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