HUNDREDS of people descended on Bromsgrove’s Sanders Park yesterday for the 50th birthday celebrations.
There were a variety of activities and attractions taking place throughout the afternoon, including circus workshops, live entertainment, music from the past five decades, face-painting, inflatables and stalls from local community organisations.
Bromsgrove District Council and the Bromsgrove Society joined forces for a special display of memories and photographs from the last half-a-century and there was a special ’50’ birthday cake.
The cake was cut by Bromsgrove District Council chairman Coun Caroline Spencer who cut the cake with members of the Sanders family who first bequeathed the park to the town.
She said: “It was so good to see everyone enjoying the excellent display of photographs and people’s memories of the park from the last 50 years, the entertainment and activities for all ages.
“It was indeed a great privilege to meet ten members of the Sanders family who attended.”
Christopher Cheney, a member of the Sanders family, spoke on the history of his ancestor’s and the memories he had as a child visiting members of his family in Bromsgrove.
Members of the Keep Bromsgrove Beautiful and the town’s Friends of the Earth groups teamed up to highlight environmental issues and hold a litter pick in conjunction with the event.
Sarah Milburn from Keep Bromsgrove Beautiful said: “Sanders Park is one of the most beautiful parts of Bromsgrove so this was the ideal event for us.”
Members also offered recycling advice and held a competition for people to guess how many cigarette butts were collected in an hour at the park.
Bromsgrove District Council parks officers were on hand to discuss proposals for outdoor fitness equipment being installed in the future and Worcestershire County Council representatives showcased the plans for new and improved pedestrian and cycle routes through the park.
Worcestershire County Council chairman Coun Brandon Clayton said: “I think it’s absolutely fantastic – it’s a great day with a terrific turn-out.
“The entertainer juggling flaming torches whilst standing on a pile of milk crates was very impressive.”
Coun Tony Miller added it was the sixth time they had held a showcase event for plans laid out for different parks in the county and he had been wowed by residents’ interest in the proposals.
“The interaction we have had from the public here in Bromsgrove has been one of the best.”
