Two days' fun for everyone (From Stroud News and Journal)

Two days' fun for everyone

ONE day, two events, thousands of visitors, scores of attractions and a dozen or so rare sheep - it could only be Stroud.

The grounds of Stratford Park became a festival site on Saturday as the Stroud Country Show and the Party in the Park marked the centrepiece of the town's 700th birthday celebrations.

Kicked off with a small but perfectly formed carnival procession through town, the show brought all the familiar rural attractions, from rare breeds and vintage tractors to country crafts.

Meanwhile, the Party in the Park provided a line-up of top quality musical acts that continued into the night, ranging from Marling funksters Blueberry Pie to Somerset's answer to Westlife, The Wurzels.

Stroud-based youth project The Door who organised the carnival procession had its own stage to showcase talented youngsters from this year's Undiscovered Youth competition. Stroud mum Caroline Stone, who visited the dual celebration with daughters Anja and Amelia both 8, was impressed with the event.

"It has been really good actually," she said. "They haven't charged us for anything which is a change and really good. It has been very enjoyable."

Anja said: "I liked the snakes best." Amelai said: "I like the tarantulas."

Both events featured a host of stands from Five Valleys organisations, including community radio station Stroud FM, the fire and rescue service, the Stroud sea cadets and the SNJ.

And charities also did very well from the day, with every organisation from the Cotswold Care Hospice to Stroud Cats Protection running stalls and shaking buckets.

Stef Hopkins, director of voluntary rescue group SARAID, said these sort of community events provided a vital source of cash for charities.

"It is crucial," he said. "We get invaluable support from the public and it is good to get out here and meet them. It is the people of Gloucestershire who keep SARAID going." BBC Radio Gloucestershire presenter and SNJ columnist Trish Campbell said she enjoyed the event.

"It is really good to have the show back, I spent many years coming here as a kid," she said. "It is really nice to see all these people here enjoying themselves."

Chris Vacher from the BBC's Points West programme was similarly pleased with the atmosphere.

"I have had a really fun day," he said. "I have been bowled over by the welcome that Points West has had.

"It is great to see the show thriving." Anyone who would like to take part in next year's Stroud Country Show can contact Mrs Barbara Wood on 01453 765381.