T-Party is a huge hit
Over 5,000 people attended T-Party on Saturday, Telford and Wrekin’s sporting, cultural and music extravaganza of the year.
Activities and performances for all of the family were spread across Southwater and Telford Town Park, from art and craft favourites, bike stunt shows and Grandparkours to the arrival of the Rugby World Cup Trophy later in the day.
Ex-England Rugby player Fran Cotton and Leicester Tigers and England Saxons player Graham Kitchener also attended the event to see the trophy arrive in Telford. The Rugby World Cup was accompanied by England player, Jason Leonard who was part of the winning 2003 Rugby World Cup team.
The event was officially opened by three authentic New Zealand Maori warriors, who performed the Haka dance – which the country’s All Blacks team perform before their international rugby matches.
Shortly after their opening performance, Telford and Wrekin’s Maori guests were welcomed to Telford in style by the team at Pizza Express, Southwater.
Throughout the day seven different businesses competed in the Festival of Rugby Workplace Challenge, which aimed to bring together men and women from workplaces across the county to compete in non-contact rugby.
Faccenda Foods from Telford were crowned Telford and Wrekin, and Shropshire Festival of Rugby Champions 2015. The competition is thought to be made into an annual event after crowds of people came to support the game in the Arena.
The trophy is currently touring through Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Wales and England before arriving at Twickenham ahead of the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup on 18 September.
Councillor Liz Clare, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Leisure Services and Culture said: “Our annual free T-Party event proved a huge success on Saturday; it was fantastic to see Southwater, the Town Park and surrounding areas so busy and full of people taking part in sporting activities, arts and crafts, watching demonstrations and visiting our market stalls.
“Telford is really becoming a place where exciting things happen and that people want to come to. It was a great honour to welcome the Webb Ellis Cup and welcome so many new faces to our town and let them see how much we have to offer.
“I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who helped to make the event a success, the event organisers, the exhibitors and entertainers and everyone who came along on the day.”
