AN Ilkley businessman is

hoping to rekindle the spirit of St George in a bid to raise money for sports facilities for youngsters.

Howard Scaife has unveiled ambitious plans to hold a weekend of celebrations of everything English beginning on Saturday, April 19, four days before the official patron saint's day.

The celebrations will start off with a series of exhibitions, activities and opportunities to win prizes at the Kings Hall/Winter Garden complex on Station Road, Ilkley.

There will be representatives of local sports clubs, as well as commercial exhibitors offering activities such as extreme sports, karting, sailing, motor racing and holidays.

Mr Scaife is hoping to attract leading sports celebrities as well as organising games competitions.

In the afternoon there will be a children's Fancy Dress Party with the theme England Through the Ages. As well as a disco, there will also be a prize giving for the best boy and girl.

Adults will get their turn to dress up in the evening with a fancy dress dinner dance. There will be games, entertainments and prizes.

The evening will be attended by Cornish fishermen and the Newquay Rowing Club singers. The Marsden Brass band will perform a mini Last Night of the Proms.

On the Sunday, at 2pm the weekend will continue with a 'Three Men in a Boat' race on the River Wharfe. The Newquay Lifeboatmen will be standing by for boats getting into difficulties.

Entry forms will be available from the Riverside Hotel on the day or by e-mail from (avid@fairhavenltd.com).

Mr Scaife, who owns a Bradford machinery company, is a long-term supporter of many different charities and has drawn on his connections in sport and show business to get the event off the ground.

He said: "We have already had many enquiries and we have with us people from around England including leading sports people, members of the Newquay Lifeboat crew, Newquay fishermen and members of the Newquay rowing club.

"We may have a TV crew with us who will be covering the party and the other events. This is a pilot project and if a success, we will build it up into a

national event followed by

similar themed parties to

help children throughout Britain."

Fifty per cent of the proceeds of the weekend will go towards the Pipedream project for Ilkley youngsters to have their own skateboard park. Ten per cent will go to other sports projects for youngsters in the area, 25 per cent for a children's medical charity and 15 per cent for a sporting charity.

Anyone wanting to book for any of the events can get tickets at the Ilkley Tourist Infor-mation Office in Springs Lane. People wanting more information can use the e-mail address above.

Mr Scaife said although the events were based around St George, he wanted everyone, whatever nationality, to enjoy the weekend.

He said: "You do not have to be English to take part - all are

welcome as long as they are happy party people who are

willing to enthusiastically take part in this celebration of England and St George, as no doubt many of you have previously done for Burns Night and St Patrick's Day."