Local MP says event marks a renaissance for parks

Sunday 14th August saw 3,000 people join the Friends of Haden Hill Estate in Cradley Heath at a free musical and community event. Organised by the Friends and Sandwell Council staff as part of the Park It! programme, the Culture and Music Fair celebrated the diverse heritage of Haden Hill Park and House and the people who use it.

Take a look at the event photos...

Starting a musical journey through the ages, Elizabethan Band Diabolus in Musica opened the event, playing musical pieces fit for the Earl of Wessex and King Henry VIII. The duo kept the crowds enthralled with instruments believed to be haunted by demons, strolling around the newly restored Tudor house.

The Neil Coley Big Band kicked off in style, taking the park back to the war when it was used as an Operations Centre and a holiday destination for the families of the region. Dressed in US army uniforms, they had the whole park tapping their feet and clapping to tunes from Glenn Millar and other wartime classics.

The Jigsaw Dance Troupe concluded the day with a contemporary dance display to modern music. Bringing the park firmly back into the 21st century, they demonstrated that the future of the park and house is just as important as its diverse history.

While the music drifted across the park, visitors took advantage of guided tours led by members of the Friends group, who imparted a wealth of information about the history of the award winning park since its origins in 1068. However, children and adults alike seemed most interested in the dark and intriguing cellars of the 500 year old house!

Children were kept entertained throughout the afternoon with the opportunity to play games once popular in the Victorian period. Those who weren’t feeling quite so active could have their faces painted while others demonstrated their talents with the brush in the popular painting and drawing competition sponsored by the Black Country Bugle magazine.

Sylvia Heal MP, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons and Patron of the Friends of Haden Hill Estate, who opened the event said: “It’s always a great pleasure when I come to this park. I think parks are having somewhat of a renaissance across the country - this event really shows what a wonderful resource they are for all sections and ages of the community.”

Jack Beard, Chair of the Friends of Haden Hill Estate, and one of the main organisers of the event said: “The event was a huge success and it was fantastic to see so many people enjoying the park and what it has to offer – especially as the rain held off! I’d like to thank the local community for coming along and making this event so enjoyable. It made all the work worthwhile!”