Thousands flock to Stourbridge Canal Festival
Thousands of people flocked to an annual Stourbridge canal festival to celebrate the town's waterways.
The two-day festival over the weekend saw almost 100 canal boats take part, with old steam engines also present.
Organisers declared the event 'very successful' and said spirits had not been dampened despite the windy weather.
It was the 37th year the Stourbridge Navigation Trust held its Open Weekend at the Bonded Warehouse on Canal Street.
Chris Dyche, Trust financial director, said: "The event was very successful. Obviously the weather knocked us down a lot of Saturday, but Sunday was absolutely superb.
"I would estimate around 5,000 to 8,000 people came throughout the weekend.
"We had nearly 100 boats alongside a steam roller, a steam train engine and a steam lorry.
"The event is done completely free to the public. It is run to promote the waterways and the building and to give something back to the local community each year."
Among those who attended was Oliver Maunder, aged 6, of Raglan, and Neal Thomas, of Solihull, who were photographed next to a 1923 Foden steam lorry.
Traders opened stalls at the festival, but outside traders had to close early on Saturday due to the bad weather, said Chris.
Canal boat enthusiasts came to the festival from around the Black Country and wider region.
Two boats had sailed from Wales, which takes around a three-day journey to Stourbridge, said Chris.
Canal boats of different colours and designs sailed up the waterways for visitors to enjoy.
For more information about the Trust, visit www.thebondedwarehousestourbridge.co.uk
