60,000 enjoy Wolverhampton City Show
Daredevils, devastating destroyers and fearless fighters took centre stage as around 60,000 thrill-seekers flocked to West Park for the City Show.
Daredevils, devastating destroyers and fearless fighters took centre stage as around 60,000 thrill-seekers flocked to West Park for the City Show.
Visitors looked on as motorbikes flew through the air, monster trucks crushed cars and horsemen went head-to-head in a jousting contest.
A parachute display team, cheerleaders and young sheepdog also starred in the main arena while a funfair, stalls and music kept the crowds milling around the park grounds entertained.
Traditionally a family affair, fast food did a roaring trade while families who had come prepared enjoyed pre-packed picnics in the sunshine.
Site manager Rupert Knowlden said organisers were delighted with the turnout as visitor numbers for the two-day spectacular soared past 60,000 by last night. (SUN)
Gemma Roberts, aged 16, and five-year-old Skye (corr) Chilton were among dozens of people who volunteered to help out sheepdog display leader Bob Hogg with his routine.
Skye's mother Lisa Poole, 28, and partner Glenn Chilton, 31, looked on as young sheepdog Drift manoeuvred a flock of ducks around an obstacle course.
The couple, of Nocke Road, Wednesfield, had brought eight-year-old son Ben along as well as family friend Gemma and Skye.
Miss Poole, a self-employed debt collector, said: "The three children do karate which is on in the other field so they came support that.
"It's a good day out."
The Royal Artillery Military Display Team, the so-called Flying Gunners, sped around the ring at speeds of up to 90mph.
The 12-strong team of serving soldiers, made up of 10 men and two women, completed a series of crossovers passing within a whisker of each other's wheels before jumping over five cars spanning a distance of 60 ft.
Gerard Naprous and the Devils Horsemen returned to the city for games at a gallop and jousting before seven-ton monster trucks Grim Reaper and Big Pete reduced cars to piles of mangled metal.
Civil servants Claire Watters, 28, and Mark Watters, 32, were enjoying their second City Show yesterday (SUN) with 20-month-old son Noah.
Mrs Watters, of Lawfred Avenue, Wednesfield, said: "He's loving it - he's been on his first rides today and he was waving and grinning at everyone.
"We don't drive so there's not really anywhere we can take him out so this is nice.
"We've been looking forward to the monster trucks as well as going round the fair and stalls."
Three-year-old Kai Thorpe got stuck into an ice cream as he chilled out with mother Jill, 46, and sister Leah, 11.
Complementary therapist Mrs Thorpe, of Fieldhouse Road, Parkfields, said: "We've been coming every year since Leah's been little.
"It's just a lovely day out."
