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Happy Staffordshire Day! County celebrates with full day of fun

Celebrate Staffordshire today – as the county kicks off an entire day of annual festivities.

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Artists Ken Hurd, Mary Billington and Chloe O'Neill are ready to celebrate Staffordshire Day at the Guildhall Gallery in Stafford

Today, the fourth Staffordshire Day, sees locals come together to celebrate the best of the county.

The theme for 2019 is Made in Staffordshire - celebrating all the brilliant things to come out of the area.

Philip Atkins, leader at Staffordshire County Council said: "It’s our fourth Staffordshire Day and each year it’s getting bigger and bigger.

"This year’s theme is Made in Staffordshire, which as the name suggests is a celebration of all the great things to come out of Staffordshire, from its ceramic and brewing heritage, as well as food and drink, to the music and some of the most famous people from the county.

"As in previous years, there’s plenty of events and activities to get involved with, and not just on the day itself, but throughout the week and weekend as well.

“From the Made in Staffordshire exhibition at the Guild Hall Gallery in Stafford, to quizzes, history talks and walks, and local author visits, there will be something for everyone.

“Our libraries are also joining in the celebrations so it’s worth checking out what’s happening in your local library too.”

Thousands of people are expected to travel to Staffordshire for its annual Staffordshire Day events, which officially start today.

Boost for economy

Last year more than 60,000 people went to events across the area, generating more than £1 million for the local economy, according to the county council.

Attractions, community groups and residents in Stafford have joined forces to help create more than 50 events for the fourth Staffordshire Day.

The county celebration, organised by Enjoy Staffordshire, supported by Staffordshire County Council and the county’s other local authorities, offers plenty of events and special offers to enjoy within Stafford and beyond.

As the day itself falls midweek, the celebrations have been extended to include the weekend before and the weekend after.

Confirmed events for 2019 include the Staffordshire Plate Raceday at Uttoxeter Racecourse, a celebration of the Staffordshire Hoard – discovered 10 years ago this year – at Burntwood Library, and a 10 mile countryside walk in Codsall, South Staffordshire.

Visitors can enjoy a second hour on FlipOut trampolines free of charge by quoting WeLoveStaffs when booking from May 4 to 6, and 30 per cent off the supercar driving experiences at Drive Me with the code StaffsDay30.

They can also take on a challenge for the Katharine House Hospice, tackle a supreme local delicacy at Canalside Farm’s oatcake morning, relax with the Mindful in Nature workshop at The Wolseley Centre, and browse the work of some great local artists at The Guildhall Gallery.

Celebrate the county's canals at the Norbury Canal Festival, learn about the restoration of Ingestre Orangery at their family open day, hear from Staffordshire crime writers at Stafford Library, and cheer on the brave local actors baring all for The Full Monty at the Gatehouse Theatre.

Other events include a bank holiday market and car boot in Penkridge on May 6, a Hurricane Flypast and VE Day Commemorations at the Museum of Cannock Chase in Hednesford on May 4, The Great Big Staffordshire Quiz at Perton Library tomorrow, and a Goldwork Embroidery Workshop at Burntwood Library tomorrow.

Visitors can have a tour of the cellar of Erasmus Darwin House in Beacon Street, Lichfield, on May 4, or discover travel writing and 18th century journeys in an exhibition at Samuel Johnson Birthplace in Lichfield including maps, atlases, travel journals and Johnson’s own adventures around the country and beyond from May 4 onwards.

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