A film festival, a virtual market to support local businesses, love letters and author talks were amongst the events for today's Staffordshire Day celebrations.

Thousands of people from across the county joined over 50 online events and activities to show their pride in the county and what it has to offer. #Staffordshireday was also trending on Twitter, helping to raise the county's profile further.

Residents and businesses, including landlord of the Plume of Feathers pub, actor Neil Morrissey, declared their love of the county in the Love Letter to Staffordshire campaign. Neil, landlord of the pub in Barlaston recorded his video, explaining what he loves about the county.

The first ever Staffordshire Day Film Festival attracted 60 entries from film makers from across the county. Longing for Steam, Uniting River, Philip Astley: Father of the Modern Circus and Bound by Clay are amongst the winners.

The Staffordshire Day virtual market gave people the chance to buy from over 60 Staffordshire food & drink producers and artisan craft businesses, promoting the best of the county's produce.

Staffordshire Poet Laureate Mel Wardle Woodend also entertained viewers with her Staffordshire Day poem, Sandstone and Clay and her film Echoes about the county town of Stafford, its history and landscapes. Young Poet Laureate Emily Galvin from Lichfield also shared some of her poems about the county.

Other highlights on the day included a pig walk from Peak Wildlife Park, a virtual tour of the William Salt Library in Stafford and a tour of the Nelson's Gin distillery near Uttoxeter.

John Henderson, Chief Executive at Staffordshire County Council said: "Once again it's brilliant to see so many people and organisations joining in our Staffordshire Day celebrations and sharing their pride in our great county.

"This is our sixth celebration and every year it gets better and better. The day included a packed programme of online activities, from history talks, virtual tours, cookery classes, poetry sessions as well as chats with some of the county's top authors. Our first ever film festival also proved very popular, with some great quality films being submitted.

"Over the last five years, we've used Staffordshire Day to tell the world what a great county we are. We have so much to shout about, from our amazing people and rich heritage to our stunning locations and places to visit. And the fun doesn't end today as many of the activities and events are still available to watch online."

The sixth annual Staffordshire Day was organised by Enjoy Staffordshire with the help of Staffordshire County Council and other local authority partners. This year's celebrations and activities were mainly online because of the Covid-19 restrictions, which remain in place.

The date for Staffordshire Day is 1 May, chosen by the public in 2015 and it marks the creation of the world-famous Wedgwood pottery company back in 1759.

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