Wenlock Olympian Games celebrates day of sporting glory

Much Wenlock became a giant party town as thousands of people from Shropshire and across the world turned out to celebrate its historic Olympian games and the upcoming Olympics.

A packed weekend of sporting events and a special street market was held as visitors from as far afield as Brazil China and Australia were treated to a packed programme of entertainment.

The free street market on Saturday came as the Olympian Games reached their halfway mark with the blue riband track and field competitions yesterday.

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Dr William Penny Brookes first staged his games in the town in 1850 and they proved to be the inspiration for the modern Olympic movement founded by Baron Pierre de Coubertin.

They are due to end next Saturday, just a week before the 2012 Olympics begin in London. Helen Cromarty, spokesman for the Wenlock Olympian Society which organises the games, said: "An events team organised the street fair and it was the first time we have had such an event during our games.

"The idea was to celebrate not only the Wenlock Olympian Games but also London 2012. We were the DNA for the Olympics, – it is the child of our Olympian Games – so we thought it was right to celebrate them together."

The sun shone for the main sporting day yesterday which again saw the crowds flock to Much Wenlock to see hundreds of athletes take part in competitions ranging from the main athletics events to a triathlon and a masters swimming gala.

Mrs Cromarty said: "We have had a smashing day. It was wonderful weather.

"We had a team from Brazil taking part. It was brilliant that we had no rain and lots of people came. We had some really, really good events so it was great."

The day culminated in a procession through the town to the Olympian field behind a marching band and the vice president who was carrying the torch.

"There were about 40 athletes in the parade and all the people who came to watch walked behind them. It was lovely. It was worth all the organisation. We think there was about a couple of thousand people at the games."

She said she thought they had so many entrants this year because of the Olympics.

"We were surprised by the number of international entrants. It was wonderful and raised the bar on the competition."

On Saturday, actors and residents took to the streets to tell the story of Dr Brookes while the stalls across the town offered everything from food to handmade crafts.

There was a variety of music acts and street theatre actors re-enacted Victorian scenes, a bird of prey on show and a working dog display plus a miniature steam railway.

Children could have their faces painted and an animal man was on hand to entertain them. There was also a Punch and Judy and a magic show and donkey rides.

Another highlight was a performance of the nationally renowned Much Ado About Wenlock in the centre of the town.

A bowls tournament had to be postponed after heavy rain left the ground sodden.