Black Country Day 2016 is bigger and better than ever

Black Country Day is bigger and better than ever, and it's here to stay.

Since its launch in 2012, the day celebrating the region famous for its distinct dialect and rich industrial heritage has grown to a level few could have envisaged, while restoring great pride among its people.

Such is the speed the event has grown in its four boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton, founder and organiser Steve Edwards has had to take six months off work to put it all together. He attended Westminster and the Houses of Parliament this week to promote the region along with fellow organisers and representatives from the region including Dudley council leader Pete Lowe.

Mr Edwards said: "Everyone I know just thinks it's amazing. People I know and work with, them are all proper Black Country so they love it. All my friends come to the festival events with me, they're really proud. That's what we wanted, we wanted people to be proud to be Black Country again. It's been lost over the years for a long time. People take the mick out of us for the way we 'spake', but now people here want to be part of the Black Country again.

He added: "It's been amazing really. To start with, it was all about the community aspect and bringing people in the area together. Now the business aspect has really started to take off. Loads of businesses are getting involved and showing an interest in it. It's still growing so fast.

"There's a hell of a lot more to do. We didn't expect it to explode in the way that it has. I've had to take six months off work to make sure it all happens.

"We've got lots more people involved with helping get ready for the festival, but it's lots more people doing lots more work. It's a big team effort.

"We even went to Westminster and the Houses of Parliament to promote the Black Country this week. That's what it's all about."

He also reckons the popularity of Peaky Blinders has also played a big part in generating interest in the area.

See also:

• Black Country Festival 2016: Where to enjoy the celebrations in Sandwell, Wolverhampton and Dudley

• Quiz: How well do you know the Black Country?

• Quiz: How well do you know the Black Country dialect?

"The emergence of Peaky Blinders has been a big thing for putting us on the map as well," he said. "Some friends of mine just got back from a holiday to America, and they said whenever they spoke, people were asking them if they were from the show.

"I think people need to look back as well at what we've done for industry over the years. It all started here, the world wouldn't be the same without the Black Country."

Prominent local poet and musician Billy Spakeman, aka Brian Dakin, noted the impact of the Black Country flag, which was a catalyst in the celebratory day being launched, and believes it has helped give us an identity.

He said: "When I wrote my poem Fly The Flag, a member of the Flag Institute told me that the Black Country flag is outselling almost every other one in Britain. Whether or not you like the design, it gives us an identity. It was designed by a schoolgirl and it really shows the level of pride in the area to see it doing so well. You see them everywhere. Lots of ex-pats are buying them and people are taking them on holiday. No doubt when people abroad see the flag it becomes a talking point."

He added: "It began as just one day, but now it seems to have turned into a Black Country month, almost. I've been doing events from July 2 up to the 13th. The 14th will always be Black Country Day, but there's lots more going on as well.

"I think what we now need to do is get more schools involved, that way we're reaching out to the next generation so it can keep continuing.

"The festival and the flag give us a sense of oneness. Each town is important but this brings us together and gives us a flag to march under."

On the development of the festival, he said: "When it first started, there was a lot of work put in just to form a base from which to expand. Dudley really took up the mantle to help launch it and flew the flag. Now all the areas are taking part and it has expanded into all forms of participation including local carnivals and sporting events.

"Everyone now seems to be getting involved, even one of the homes that I go and do work in have their own Black Country Day. It's wonderful to see it continue to grow and expand, and I think it will only get bigger over the years."

Designer of the flag Grace Sheppard, aged 16 from Stourbridge, created her iconic work when she was just 12.

The former Redhill School pupil spotted her distinctive design on TV at major events including Wimbledon and Glastonbury, and proud to have written her name in history.

She said: "I see it around quite a lot, I just can't believe my design has become so popular.

"A lot of people say to me 'I've seen your flag'. It's something that hopefully will be around for the rest of my life and I'll be able to say, 'I've done that'.

"I'm really proud of it and proud to be from the Black Country.

"Just being able to be around all the people who organise the day has been really good. I was nominated for the "Mayor's Civic Award as well which was really good.

"I'm not doing anything like that as part of my A-levels, I don't really know what I want to do yet. But I'm still interesting in art so maybe I'll get into it."

She added: "The Black Country was always described as black by day, red by night so I incorporated those colours. The white part represents the Glass Cone (a nod to the city's glass making heritage since 1790) and the chains represent industry."

And Ninder Johal, the former president of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, believes the festival is aided the economic growth of the area.

He said: "Initially it was difficult to get everyone to take this concept on board. The four boroughs weren't really working coherently.

"The region is now doing really well, and the festival is a huge success. The region has the second best performing Local Enterprise Partnership and people are investing in the Black Country. That's encouraged businesses to get on board and it's something everyone is buying into.

"It just goes to show what a great region we have, and we have a lot to look forward to going forward. The Merry Hill Centre is getting expanded and the infrastructure is being improved. The museum is being expanded as well and it all goes towards attracting more visitors to the area. It's restored pride in the Black Country."

So lets tuck into a groaty pudding and faggots and peas, raise a pint of Marston's-brewed ale and fly the flag as we look forward to years of celebration in this great region.