Wednesbury Day reflections

On Saturday 22nd June 2024, Multistory celebrated the second Wednesbury Day. With glorious sunshine and a joyous atmosphere, it was a great day to learn more about what the town has to offer and celebrate with wonderful people.

The event began with a lovely speech from Bridget Coles (owner of O'Connells in Wednesbury) who paid a moving tribute to her dear friend Avril Ward. Avril was a well-known and much loved figure in the town and it was an honour to have her funeral procession make its way through Market Place during Wednesbury Day, especially due to her love for the town.

Following this touching tribute, we had a special performance from Neil Baker (also a member of the We Are Wednesbury Cultural Consortium), who had written a song specially for the day and the town, as well as a performance from Tamara. Both were accompanied by guitarist Chris who provided some lovely acoustic backing music. And as if this wasn't enough music, we were joined by the superb Sovereign Brass band who filled Market Place with uplifting summer tunes.

Throughout the day, and on the streets, we were joined by a variety of characters, animals and mascots. Courtesy of Black Country Touring, we had two fabulous performers Comedy Cavemen and Woolly Wonder and The Wrong Brothers creating laughter and curiosity; and Sonic the Hedgehog, Paw Patrol and a Minion had their photographs taken with kids and adults alike.

Black Country Touring also provided a magical puppet performance for the day. Taking place at Wednesbury Library, Laika the Space Dog was a beautiful performance and story that explored an alternative ending for Laika. The kids were transfixed ... and so were we!

As well as the performative elements to Wednesbury Day, it was important to highlight and celebrate what is on offer in the town from the many community groups and service providers. Occupying market stalls near the clocktower, we were joined by Leisurely Pedal, Barnardo's, Crafternoon community group, the Friends of Brunswick park, Wednesbury Leisure Centre, South Staffs Water Community Hub, Pat's Cakes, the Albion Foundation, Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery, the New Life Church, Wednesbury Rotary, the Police Museum, and the Anti-Social Behaviour team from Sandwell Council. It was great to see so many visitors talking to these groups and learning more about what they do.

There was also an opportunity for people to join in some free creative activities including table-top planting from Ideal for All and print-making with Bostin' Arts (who also distributed the booklets they made about their involvement in Multistory's Green Roots project.

Furthermore, we were delighted to be joined by the Police and Fire Service who brought along their vehicles and people could visit one of Sandwell Council's mobile libraries. Always a crowd pleaser, the vehicles drew in a lot of eager passers-by who were desperate to have go in the fire engine and learn more about Police drones.

We would like to thank Black Country Touring, Bridget Coles of O’Connells Florist, Neil Baker, Tamara and Chris, the We Are Wednesbury Community Consortium, everyone who occupied a stall, Gerry Ritchie, Ideal for All, Bostin' Arts, and Sovereign Brass for some lovely summer tunes. We would also like to thank the Co-op for providing free hospitality, Love My Event for the three mascots, the service providers who brought their vehicles, the shops/businesses of Wednesbury, Phill Parnell for photographing the day, Infamous Arts for putting up the flags and banners and, of course, the communities and people who make the town what it is.

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