Published: Wednesday 17th August 2016 | 4.45pm
Over 5,000 people joined in the fun at Hednesford Festival on Saturday 13 August in Hednesford Park and Town Centre.
Hednesford Festival kicked off with a military walk – led by Hednesford Army Cadets and the Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets. Cadets and volunteers walked from Hednesford Park to Marquis Drive where they took part in a further walk around Brindley Heath Hospital site. This was a led walk sharing the history of the site and was hosted by Cannock Chase AONB and the Friends of Cannock Chase.
The Friends of Hednesford Park hosted the old fashioned games – with over 10 teams and 30 individuals entering. Those that were up for challenge took part in a range of games including tug of war, a cryptic clue walk based on wartime history, inflatable assault course, welly wanging, egg and spoon race and much much more! The overall winners were ‘Not Fast…Just Furious!’.
The town centre also had some surprises throughout the day with live entertainment popping up outside various venues. A full programme of entertainment took place in Tesco – performers included choirs, poets, singers, guitarists and theatre performers and more! The youth art exhibition ‘Exposure’ was also on display in Tesco.
The park itself was buzzing with stalls ranging from local businesses to charities and community groups – all providing fun activities for all to enjoy.
The event offered a World War 1 experience with the help of the Royal Norfolk Regiment Living History Group – commemorations included recruitment for the King’s Army; expert knowledge on military kit and equipment and a reconstruction of an operational territorial field kitchen. Local military organisations and charities also attended promoting their groups and offering a range of military themed activities.
Children got creative with various professional artists and put their dancing shoes on when taking part in the maypole workshops.
Cllr George Adamson, Leader of Cannock Chase Council said, “Hednesford Festival was absolutely fantastic. The event offered a range of local entertainment, market stalls and activities for all to enjoy.
It was great to see so many people enjoying the event and visiting Hednesford Park. Our parks are wonderful spaces for the whole community to enjoy, so it was an ideal setting for the event.
I’m proud to have been involved and would like to personally thank everyone who helped to make this event such a huge success.
We hope to build on the success of this event and make this an annual Festival. The date for next year will be announced shortly”.
Hednesford Festival was organised by Cannock Chase Council, Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles, Friends of Hednesford Park, Hednesford in Partnership and Hednesford Town Council.
If you are interested in supporting Hednesford Festival 2017 please contact Lynn Evans on 07855099353 for further information.