This year, I will be going to my very first St George's Day celebration (albeit on Friday) when my colleague Ben's band will be playing at St Mary's Community Hall, Sabden.

Ben and bandmates will be sporting the colours of St George – something they should be proud of, but something which some people are wary of doing.

That's because our national flag, the cross of St George, has been hijacked by distasteful individuals and groups who have used it as a badge of aggression. A minority of England football fans come to mind as do certain political groups.

It's sad that more Englishmen celebrate St Patrick's Day than they do St George's Day. The muted celebrations of our national day have caused some to call for more organised events or even to make April 23rd a national bank holiday. Unfortunately, I think there is more chance of me plaiting sawdust than this happening.

Ironically, St George wasn't English and may not have even visited these shores. He was born in Anatolia, modern-day Turkey, and was a Roman soldier who refused to take part in the persecution of Christians. The Emperor Diocletian was enraged and ordered him to be tortured and executed.

Most people will associate St George with slaying the dragon, though obviously this part of his story is folklore. He is also patron saint of Aragon, Catalonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Palestine and Portugal among others.

St George also helps Scouts, soldiers, archers, cavalry and chivalry, farmers and field workers, riders and saddlers, and those suffering from leprosy, plague and syphilis. And still many people do not know what date St George's Day is.

I wonder how many festivals or carnivals will be celebrated around the country this year. Close to here, Horwich Carnival Committee has unveiled its plans. Organisers say this year's event promises all things British, including roast beef, Bombardier beer and "Rule Britannia".

I know that makes some people feel uncomfortable. But why should it? We should be proud of our customs and past. Despite what some people think, England is a very fair country and we should not be scared of celebrating our national day.