BARD'S BIRTHDAY: Smiles lined the streets for sunny celebrations

GOOD weather drew large crowds to this year’s sunny Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations in Stratford-upon-Avon, marking the 454th birthday of the town's famous playwright. The traditional annual parade of dignitaries and local school children achieved its usual celebration of Shakespeare and his works and concluded with the laying of flowers during a ceremony at Holy Trinity Church.

This year a Community Carnival Pageant followed the main parade and included 17 themed entries from charities, clubs and organisations.

A big hit with youngsters was the National Living Statue Championship on Bancroft Gardens which saw people stand or sit still in a variety of impressive guises.

It was a relaxed affair which put a smile back on peoples’ faces after the long cold spell of a few weeks ago.

But what did visitors make of it all?

Stratford resident, Angela Casamassa, said: "I come every year and I honestly believe this has been the best one yet, you can tell that a lot of organisation has gone into it and it looks like more local groups are involved which is great. Of course the good weather helps as well.

"I really liked the glitter cannons and I think my favourite walking float was the one by Rubbish Friends."

Sue Taylor, who was at the birthday celebrations with friend Jenny Harding, said: "We've been coming to the celebrations for 30 years because we love Shakespeare and it's great just to come and soak up the atmosphere. Today has been brilliant and the glitter cannons were really effective. I live in London and I work at the Globe and I'm also part of a group called the Sunday Shakespeare Society, we read read Shakespeare's plays in pubs in London."

Lisa Blake was at the event with mum Shirley and her daughters Emily and Poppy - who may have been the youngest person attending, at just nine weeks old.

Lisa said: "We've had family in the parade before but not this year, in a few years time it'll be the turn of these two though."

Andy Fitzgerald, visiting for the day from Nottingham, said: "We've never been to the celebrations before so we don't really know what to expect, but we've got tickets to the theatre tonight to see Romeo and Juliet so we're really looking forward to that. We've seen a few of the living statues, they certainly make you smile."

Full coverage, photos and reaction in next week's bumper Herald, including five-page Bard's Birthday Special.