Star comment: Sunshine brings out the best in us
Wherever you went in Shropshire at the weekend, people were in a cheerful, celebratory mood. And with good reason.
Events were going with a swagger and a swing in all corners of the county, helped by a much-welcome dose of summer sunshine.
The rejuvenated Ludlow Arts Festival reached its triumphant climax with a spectacular firework display above the castle, Shrewsbury Food Festival organisers were licking their lips after a magnificent debut, and a host of other events like Race For Life, Newport's Newfest, and Shifnal Carnival went off with a bang.
Down in Ludlow, the scenes after the festival's closing concert featuring 1960s legends The Hollies and The Searchers were a far cry from the sad days in November when it was announced that the town's annual event was coming to an end after more than half a century due to its latest 'major losses'.
"We hope that, at some stage in the future, a Ludlow Arts Festival will be revived for future generations to enjoy," organisers said.
Happily, we didn't need to wait for the next generation. Ten days of star-studded events against the backdrop of the stunning and historic Ludlow Castle had the whole town buzzing.
It just goes to prove that, despite competition from a growing number of rival festivals in the region, the south Shropshire market town has just what it takes to put on a grade A show when the ingredients are right.
The weather certainly helped, but perhaps it was just simply time for some fresh blood, with fresh pairs of eyes, to give the event a 21st century shake-up.
Ludlow has, of course, become synonymous with fine food in recent times, and played a pivotal role in the success of spin-off 'foodie' events across the county.
Organisers of Shrewsbury's first food festival today vowed to return for a second helping next year after exceeding even their most optimistic expectations, attracting 8,000 people.
Local bands, local produce and local traders brought out hordes of local people – it was a perfect example of promoting and celebrating the best of what the county has to offer.
We may not be able to control the increasingly unpredictable British weather, but the outlook for our big summer shows certainly remains sunny.
