Local Events

of the King’s Coronation in Cae Glas Park on Saturday,May 6.

There will be children’s rides, magicians, circus performers, facepainting, Alpacas, stalls, streetfoodand live music from Porth-y-waen brass band.

“So why not grab apicnicblanket, head to Cae Glas Park, and enjoy this historic day and sometraditional entertainment with family and friends,” said the town’s Mayor,Councillor Jay Moore.

The Severn Valley Railway will be holding aday of celebrations on Saturday,May 6with ahuge screen on Kidderminster concourse to allow passengers to watch the coronation in a beautiful heritage location.

There will also be amagician to keep youngsters entertained and the Great British Afternoon Teawill be available from the Valley Suite for atastytreat.

Meanwhile, at Highley,The Engine House will be full of miniature marvels for the Spring Model Railway Weekend.

On Saturday,May 6, there will also be an evening of singing,dancing, comedy and music as theSVR hosts aCoronation Evening Variety Show at Kidderminster

The show will be opened by magician Damon Conlan, before live music from Dynamix, ahilarious set from comedian Gerry Kand performance by solo artist Max Stockin. Tickets cost £15 for adults, £12 for members and £7.50 for working members.

On Sunday,May 7, the railway has teamed up with Lee Chapman of Chappers Photography to offer aunique workshop to capture the atmosphere of the railway as it celebrates the crowning ceremony of the new King.

Participants will learn about the railway,location and macro photography and pick up some skills and tips on how to capture their very best images.

Visit svr.co.uk/event/coronation-dayphotography-workshop for more details.

Acoronation picnic will be taking place at Ludlow Castle as part of the national Big Lunch celebrations on Sunday,May 7.

The event, organised in collaboration with Ludlow Town Council and Ludlow Chamber of Trade, will run from noon until 6pm and there will be food and drink vendors on site. Admission is free but donations to cover the cost of the event would be appreciated.

The castle is also hosting its Discover Ludlow Castle...Royalty event on Saturday,May 6and Monday,May 8.

Over its long history,Ludlow Castle has been host to many members of royalty.Visitors will be able read about their lives and find the parts of the castle they are associated with.

There will also be afreetrail for children. Admission charges apply

Celebrations will also be taking place in Norton-in-Hales, Market Drayton, where trees have already been planted in honour of the historic occasion.

Arow of seven Crabapple trees are now growing on theboundary of the community car parkoverlooking the beautiful landscape down towards the River Tern.The variety of tree, Prairie Fire, was specifically chosen for its magnificent pink floral display in late spring, dark purple foliage colour and its persistent fruit which stays on the branches throughout the winter giving nourishment to wildlife.

During the bank holiday week, ahost of street parties are alsoplanned across the county as communities get together to celebrate.

They include an event organised by Great Dawley Town Council which will take place in Dawley High Street from 11am until 3pm on Saturday,May 6.

It will include live music and entertainment, horse and cart rides, face painting, crafts and free sweets and ice cream.

Shropshire Council has already approved 17 applications to close streets with cabinet member for culture, Rob Gittins, saying: “The Coronation weekend is dedicated to celebrating our communities and the volunteers who give so much to enhance the lives of so many people countywide. They give up their time selflessly and without reward, and our communities are certainly richer for it.”

Meanwhile, Coronation plaques are also being unveiled in towns the lengthof breadth of Shropshire.

In asymbolic andlasting project, the British Ironwork Centre has teamed up with the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire, Anna Turner,toprovide the plaques to everyone of the 20 towns in the county Mayors from the towns will be unveiling their own individual plaque over the Coronation weekend.

Clive Knowles, from the Ironwork Centre, said: “It seemed important that we could show that every single town in Shropshire was unified behind the Coronation and that there was asymbol that would live on after the weekend.”

He presented the idea to the Lord Lieutenant -the King’s representative in Shropshire.

“Over the weekend we will have 20 mayors in 20 towns unveiling the plaques on civic buildings.”

Mrs Turner visited the centre to see the first plaque being inscribed.

Mr Knowles thanked staff at the centre for working hard to getthem ready on time.

“They will be hand delivered to each town, it is abig operation,” he said.