It's bostin' in Spain as big day celebrated

Proud folk from across the area got involved in the occassion with many taking to taking to Twitter and others sending in their snaps to Star Witness at expressandstar.com to tell the world what they got up to during the region's special day.

Kyle Ferguson, who works for Wolverhampton construction company Carillion, was one of those immersing himself in Black Country culture, as he listened to Slade while eating faggots and paes.

The 28-year-old from Bilston, a contestant on Come Dine With Me in 2011, said: "I moved to Bilston purposely because I wanted to live in heart of the Black Country, I wouldn't live anywhere else.

"I went to Bilston market and tasty food, like grey paes, and I just jammed out listening to Slade.

"Black Country Day is about our local history, we always get overlooked in the big scheme of things, but without the Black Country there wouldn't be a modern world at all."

Some chose to spend their time visiting one of the many events taking place in the area.

The whole of the region has been getting right behind Black Country Day, with events taking place in Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall.

Tony Bennett, 30, took his family to Stone Street Square in Dudley for the festivities there, where he pictured six-year-old Archie proudly displaying the Black Country flag on his face.

Mr Bennett, from Tividale, said: "We wanted to celebrate what our region is all about, it's about time it was recognised for what it's done for the country.

"We were proud to be there, and proud to represent the people of the Black Country.

"The children are definitely proud to be Yam Yams."

Sandwell's Home Library Service dressed up in typical Black Country dress for the day, while they also opened a scrapbook for people to record their memories of libraries and life in the area. That runs until next Monday.

Blackheath Library had an author talk while listeners enjoyed some bostin fittle, while at Cradley Heath Library there were also traditional dishes to try such as Groaty pudding.

Great Barr Library had a dialect-themed coffee morning, with a talk about How We Spake by Sandwell Councillor Steve Melia, while Hamstead Library also hosted a talk about the Black Country.

Hill Top Library welcomed visitors for some tay and caerke, while Langley Library hosted a talk by Black Country author Dr Terry Daniels. The area's famous ales took centre stage at The Jolly Crispin pub in Upper Gornal, where they have been holding a beer festival featuring the best local brews, including those from the Fownes Brewery which is based at the pub. Nearby boozer The Fountain Inn also had special offers on some proper Black Country food.

Finishing yesterday, a beer festival was also held at the Black Country Arms in Walsall High Street.

It also hosted Black Country Blues, a play set in the area depicting life in the 1980s.

The same play visited Smethwick Library yesterday, and will be visiting Tipton Library today, Newhampton Arts Centre in Dunkley Street, Wolverhampton tomorrow, Thimblemill Library in Smethwick on Thursday, and Brook Street Community Centre in Tipton on Friday.

Others put on events of their own, like the day therapy staff at Mary Stevens Hospice in Stourbridge, where they raised the flag, wore Black Country T-shirts, and helped the patients chains out of images of the flag. Clinical director Jackie Kelly said: "We've had a fabulous day, we had faggots and paes for lunch for all the patients in the hospice.

"Everyone has been involved in celebrating our roots. The patients have really loved it."

This picture of hospice staff Rachael Finlayson, Jo Prince, Anne Howell and Ruth Davies was sent in.

At West Bromwich Albion, the flag was flying outside the Hawthorns, while inside the chef served up helpings of faggots and paes to players, including new left-back Sébastien Pocognoli.

Kay Carrington from Cradley Heath posted a picture of the flag at from a villa in Mazarron Murcia in Spain, with the message: "Bostin day, out in Spain. Ow bin ya?"