Bower and glory for traditional gathering

Lichfield was jam-packed to celebrate one of the biggest events in the city's calendar.

Attractions and displays were all over the city centre and Beacon Park yesterday for The Lichfield Greenhill Bower.

Bower committee chairman Michael Mullarkey said that in his 36 years associated with the event, eight as chairman, this was the biggest turnout. He said: "It's been fabulous. The streets of Lichfield have been packed and you could not move in Beacon Park for people. Every open bit of space was used as a car park for visitors to get to the event."

A procession of 43 competition and trade floats were led by the Green Man Morris and Sword Club. Mr Mullarkey said: "The people of Lichfield welcomed the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas who clapped them all the way around the city. The generosity of the people has also been evident, with the amount from the street collection being very high.

"I think it will take two days to count it all. I have never seen so much money in coins in my life." The day started with the Court of Arraye, a ceremony dating from the 12th century where each town and city in England would assess how many men were fit to fight.

This was followed by crowning of Bower Queen, 17-year-old Kate Chaplin by the Mayor of Lichfield, Councillor Terence Thomas. The procession of floats continued to Greenhill before people enjoyed fairground rides, music and demonstrations from groups including traditional Nepalese kukri knife dance and the Imps motorcycle display team. The flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Second World War Dakota capped the day off.