by Melvyn Morgan
SEVERN Park is set to become a hive of activity this summer with two major events designed to bring in thousands of visitors to Bridgnorth this summer.Organisers of a steam rally, to be staged for the second time in the town, say they have been ‘overwhelmed’ by the support which will see the event double in size.
Entries for the ‘Rally in the Valley’ on July 18 and 19 have flooded in from across the country and are well on target to top 200 by the end of this month. And then on Saturday, August 22, a ‘Party in the Park’ fun day is being organised by the Stourbridge and Black Country Events Corporation, working with Bridgnorth Town Council.
Steam rally organiser Brian Davies, of the Trevithick 200 committee, said: “The response from the public has been overwhelming and the support offered by the Bridgnorth community has been fantastic. When we staged last year’s rally it was a total unknown to all of us, but we quickly learnt and by listening to the advice of some local engine enthusiasts have been able to plan for a much larger event for 2009.
“Hopefully the rally will grow and become a regular feature of the tourist programme for Bridgnorth.”
Mr Davies said the trustees were grateful for the support of Bridgnorth Tourist Association, funding from the Bridgnorth and Morfe Local Joint Committee and the help given by town clerk Rachel Humphries on behalf of the town council, which had enabled the showground to be enlarged this year.
Steam engines and rollers, stationery engines, miniature traction engines, vintage tractors, classic cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles are also being lined up.
There will also be artisans from Blists Hill Victorian town at Ironbridge, including a blacksmith, printer, dressmaker, potter, corn-milling, pipe-making and a lunchtime music hall-style performance.Other attractions will include coracle making, basket weaving, Kinver Model Engineers¹ railway, a fairground ride, shooting gallery and fairground organs.
In the arena there will be displays of heavy horses and engine-pulling as well as a grand parade of vehicles and engines. Entertainment will be provided by brass bands, Morris dancers, Punch and Judy shows, Dr Sunshine and children¹s activities. Advance tickets cost £5 for adults (concessions £3 and children aged under 12 free) from the tourist information centre at the Listley Street library, or from Knickerbockers Ice Cream Parlour in Low Town.
The Party in the Park will be the SBCE’s main event of the year and they have already booked jousting knights The Knights of the Damned who will put on a big display of stunt action.
Other attractions will include Peppa Pig for the children to meet and greet, live music, a traditional funfair and other attractions including stalls.
“SBCE last year donated over £3,000 to charity at each event they organised and with the town’s support this year we hope that similar sums can be donated to organisations that use the park and will be helping on the day,” said town clerk Rachel Humphries.
“The aim of the day is to create a balance of fun, music and attractions for all the community and everyone’s support will result in giving money back to the local community,” she added.
Anyone interested in booking a stall can contact SBCE at www.sbevents.co.uk