Posted on Monday 20th June 2011
Warrian the Anglo Saxon Warrior
An Anglo-Saxon warrior on the hunt for a hoard of gold and games of a peculiarly green fingered nature was amongst some of the strange sights on offer at a fun-filled afternoon of family entertainment in Shobnall on Saturday June 18.
The Gardening Olympics at the Shobnall Leisure Complex in Burton upon Trent, hosted by East Staffordshire Borough Council’s Green Spaces team, is a celebration of all things horticultural and is held in honour of all the hard work that goes into spreading the word amongst local primary schools about going green and living healthy lives.
This the fourth time that the Gardening Olympics have been held but this year there was a special guest in the shape of an Anglo-Saxon Warrior named Warrian. The frightening but friendly giant is on the hunt for the gold that was buried in Staffordshire back in the seventh century.
Of course, the world famous Staffordshire Hoard is safely under lock and key for now but will be on display at free exhibitions across the county this summer, starting at the Shire Hall Gallery from Saturday July 2. In the meantime, visitors will have the chance to talk to Warrian and perhaps give him some gardening tips!
Besides meeting Warrian, members of the public could also admire flower show displays, take part in Olympic-style events such as the cabbage shot put and the carrot relay as well as enjoying free entertainment for the whole family including bouncy castles, face painting, stalls and much more.
The Gardening Olympics takes place at the Shobnall Leisure Complex in Burton upon Trent from 12pm to 4pm on Saturday June 18. The event is free to enter, there is free parking on site and refreshments will be available.
The Staffordshire Hoard on Tour opens at the Shire Hall Gallery on Saturday July 2. This exhibition marks the first stage of a three-venue tour of the county during the summer that also takes in Lichfield Cathedral and Tamworth Castle.
Tickets for the Staffordshire Hoard exhibition at the Shire Hall Gallery are available on www.staffordshire.gov.uk/hoard|.
In addition to making appearances at various events across the county Warrian the Warrior also has a YouTube video which can be viewed at www.staffordshire.gov.uk| by clicking the YouTube link at the bottom of the pag