Thousands turn out for big Shrewsbury race meeting
Thousands of people basked in glorious sunshine at a traditional Shropshire race meeting – which featured a trackside appearance by former Grand National winning horse Neptune Collonges.
As temperatures reached 19.9C (67.8F) in Shrewsbury yesterday more than 5,000 spectators flocked to the rescheduled Eyton Races at Eyton-on-Severn. The brilliant spring sunshine was a contrast to the snowy weather in March which forced the cancellation of the Easter Monday meet.
A number of different races took place throughout the day to entertain the crowds at the amateur steeple-chasing event, including the 2.5 Mile Maiden, the Men's Open, Ladies Open and a joint North Shropshire Hunt and South Shropshire Hunt Members' Race.
Retired racehorse Neptune Collonges, who won the Grand National last year, was also paraded at the annual north Shropshire point-to-point races. Meanwhile around 1,000 people took part in a community street festival in the heart of Shrewsbury.
The four-hour event hosted by the The Hive Music and Media Centre in Belmont featured drumming performances from local musicians, creative workshops for young people and families and street performers.