It was great that Boris Johnson decided that, after years of wanton neglect, St.George's Day should be properly marked this year, and launched London's celebrations himself on Thursday at Leadenhall Market in the City.
So it's a bore to carp, but it has to be said that the culmination - a St George's Day Festival in Trafalgar Square - proved a dismal, threadbare affair. Bereft of flags or decorations, the Square, with its fountains covered in scaffolding, looked rather forlorn.
The crowds that came - and these were drawn from all age groups - were treated to a succession of folk bands and performers who must have been unfamiliar to most of them, all playing at high decibal level. It seems to be assumed when public events of this kind are organised now that this is what people want - simply to stand and listen to live bands. But it almost never works. It tends to alienate and dominate at the same time. It takes the focus off the event and puts it instead onto the anonymous figures on stage.
There was also virtually nothing for kids to do (surely a couple of brightly decorated carousels can't cost much?), no stalls to speak of, and a general air of nothing-to-see-here.
It's a great idea to celebrate, and it's to be hoped that yesterday's half-hearted display doesn't put people off in the future. If you're going to do it an event such as this, you might as well do it properly
