Posted on Wednesday 29th April 2020
Mark Winnington, Cabinet Member responsible for tourism at Staffordshire County Council
A packed programme of arts & crafts sessions, poetry, music, demonstrations, and more, is in store for this year’s online-only Staffordshire Day, organisers have announced.
This Friday, 1st May, the fifth annual county day, organised by Enjoy Staffordshire with the help of Staffordshire County Council, will feature a host of live streams and pre-recorded broadcasts to enjoy from home.
The day begins with a puppet show on Josiah Wedgwood – who established his world-famous ceramics firm on 1st May 1759 – and story-telling from the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, Lichfield.
There will be arts and crafts activities for families, including Staffordshire Libraries Pyjamarama sessions (11am-4pm), a drawing workshop for children with Eleanor Heath, and a Staffordshire Hoard-inspired embroidery class with Cheslyn Hay textile artist Katherine Keatley.
For animal lovers, a live stream from Trentham Monkey Forest will reveal why the monkeys came to Staffordshire.
There’s poetry from the county’s poet laureate Mel Wardle Woodend – including a new poem written specifically for Staffordshire Day – and The Rattlebag Poetry Challenge with Stafford-based poet Ingrid Wagner.
The music comes from Stafford band Naked Sunday and Yarnfield singer Lauren May, a cooking demonstration from local chef Cris Cohen on making sourdough oatcakes, and a talk on politics and activism from Staffordshire Youth Union.
And a live webinar, hosted by Staffordshire University, will give small and micro businesses practical tips for surviving the Coronavirus lockdown.
A family disco, and a themed quiz from Staffordshire branch of Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) will bring the day to a close.
Mark Winnington, Cabinet Member responsible for tourism at Staffordshire County Council, and Vice Chair of Destination Staffordshire, said:
“Staffordshire Day always brings the people of Staffordshire together to show our love of the county, and while we have had to do it differently this year because of Coronavirus, the response has been as good as ever.
“We have a great programme of events and activities which you can enjoy from your sofa, and there is something for everyone, from creative fun for the children to cooking demonstrations and performances from talented local musicians.
“And as ever we encourage you to get involved on social media. Tell the world why you love Staffordshire, or share a Mugshot – a photo of you with a Staffordshire-made mug – with the hashtag #StaffordshireDay.”
Full details of the Staffordshire Day programme can be found at www.enjoystaffordshire.com/staffordshireday