Happy Valley is a feast of fun

Aug 28 2006 By Steve Johnson, Birmingham Mail

FINE weather brought the crowds flocking in their thousands to the Sandwell Show - billed as the biggest free event of its kind in Europe.

The annual extravaganza at Sandwell Valley Country Park in West Bromwich pulled in tens of thousands of visitors yesterday and the fun and entertainment for all the family was set to continue today.

Up to 80,000 were expected to converge on the showground over the two days of the event, by far the biggest attraction in the Sandwell Borough calendar.

Bus-loads of excited children and their parents were ferried to the show from West Bromwich bus station and the cheap service was running every ten minutes today.

"Something for all the family" was the proud boast of the show's organisers and Sandwell Councillor Linda Horton, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said the opening day had been a huge success.

She said: "This is the biggest, brightest and friendliest free show in the country and it was great to see so many people enjoying the fun.

"We hope people turn out in force again today to enjoy the vast array of entertainment that has been laid on."

Booksworms visiting the show were given the chance to check out the borough's award-winning mobile library as part of a wealth of entertainment ranging from circus acts to stunt dogs.

Also featured at the show was a children's beach, fun fair, marching bands, market stalls and the giant horticultural show.

A big top housing Beechman Circus was a popular attraction, with no animals but including juggling, trapeze, magic, fire-eating, stilt-walking and unicycling comedy.

Mike Wyer, of Saga Radio, compered the arena programme, which included the James Dylan stunt world and his famous motorcycle manoeuvres, the Cumberland giants comedy duo and the SX dog display team.

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