Latest news with #ShropshireFestivals
BBC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'People come to Shropshire petal field with outfit changes'
Stretching across a large field in Newport with bees and butterflies zipping through the air, Shropshire Petal Fields boasts rows and rows of delphiniums, cornflowers, sunflowers and is open a week earlier due to an unusually dry spring, and is hoping to welcome more than 16,000 people across the 10 days it is vibrant colours, abundance of wildlife and the installation of photo opportunities - including a claw-foot bathtub - means people flock to the site to take pictures for social media."You see people come with three outfit changes and the kids are bribed with ice cream all the way round to get the family pictures," said Beth Heath from Shropshire Festivals. "We've had a lot of people taking professional pictures, we've had a few proposals."We're all about memories… this makes loads of people smile, and also take a moment." The flowers remain picture perfect because their maintenance does not involve much human interaction - all the planting and weeding is done by a Heath said people travelled to visit the site, drawing in a lot of people particularly from near Wolverhampton who did not get to experience the countryside as often."There is something very special about standing amongst those colours, that smell and being completely immersed in nature," she said. "We loved walking around the flowers and all the props that you could stop and take photos at," said Emily from Shrewsbury, who had visited with her family."We're entertaining the children… we're getting great shots of everybody and the flowers so it will definitely be going on social media later."It's quite a big factor because you're collecting lovely memories, but it's quite tricky getting them to smile on cue," she site offers events catered towards different people - there are dog-friendly days and sunset evenings, as well as picnic opportunities, all of which have Insta-worthy photo opportunities. "It's lovely and the photos are just stunning that you're able to take," said Louise, who lives two miles away."It's nice to come and see so many little ones here, and there's so much wildlife to see on the flowers, all the bees and the butterflies."Meanwhile, Brian and Diane Richards told the BBC they could not believe the location was so close to home."The first time we'd seen pictures but couldn't think where it could be," said Ms Richards."It's hard to believe that's all going to be petals for somebody's wedding at some point," Mr Richards added. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Telford carnival returns with procession and family fun day
A town is ready for the return of a "beloved" carnival which features free children's activities and a colourful procession, said organisers. People can line the streets for Oakengates Carnival in Telford on Saturday and enjoy a parade with performers and vintage vehicles between 11:30 BST and midday. The procession, which involves some road closures, is followed by a family fun day at Hartshill Park until 19:00. Attractions include alpacas, circus skills, an inflatable assault course and entertainment on the music stage, said Shropshire Town Council said it asked the group to run the event again after the success of its last carnival in 2023. "Shropshire Festivals delivered a fantastic event back in 2023, which attracted thousands of visitors, said the town's mayor, councillor Stephen Reynolds. He added "excitement was building in the town" ahead of the return of the "beloved Oakengates Carnival". "We can't wait to host a free, family day of fun for our community and show visitors just how much our great little town has to offer," Reynolds said. He added it was a chance for the community "to celebrate the summer together". Last summer, due to financial considerations and redevelopment in the area, the town council said it decided to support businesses with an "enhanced high street celebration", instead of a carnival. This year's music stage includes entertainment from choirs, community groups and local bands - Something 4 The Weekend, Wired 2 Party, and Groove Dynamite. Beth Heath, from Shropshire Festivals, said they had lined up free activities for "a full day of entertainment for the whole family" and thanked the event's sponsors, including Kraft Heinz in Telford. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
