I always look forward to Biddulph Festival and Leek Club Day and after the downpour on Friday evening, I was glad that the sunny weather returned for this special Saturday in Staffordshire Moorlands.
As well as trying to help local residents sort out their problems, it’s always an honour and privilege to attend some of the many local events that you work really hard to put on.
I started the morning with a visit to the Biddulph Churches Together Open Air Café which is held as part of the Biddulph Festival. It was lovely to have some tea and cake with the Mayor and the many people who came to support the café and I would like to pay tribute to all the hard work that the Church members do for so many others.
It was then time for the Annual Club Day in Leek which is also known as Walking Round Day and has been taking place for over 200 years.
This year it was St Mary’s Catholic Church’s turn to lead the procession and the Act of Worship and I was honoured to be invited to join the group together with Father Martin, the Mayor, the Town Crier and Councillors.
We had a lovely open air service and then did the “Walking Around” the town. The marching bands were fantastic and so many local people came out to line the streets and support the procession. It is a great example of everyone coming together to give that special sense of community spirit that we have here in the Moorlands. I would like to thank the organisers, the emergency services, the many groups who took part and local people for supporting the event – you did us proud! It really was a great day and I am sure it was enjoyed by all.