Opportunity to enjoy and learn more about the Gorge.

The free Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Festival, which is supported by Telford & Wrekin Council, will be taking place this year on Saturday, 20th September with heritage talks and walks, a fantastic high quality craft and food market, live street entertainment and family activities from 12noon until 5pm. The day’s events will be followed by an early evening premier of Past Lives at Enginuity in Coalbrookdale starting at 6pm.

With the world famous Iron Bridge forming the backdrop, the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Festival will be a great celebration of the area’s designation as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986.

Local residents and visitors will be able to enjoy a large high quality street market running parallel with the river along the Wharfage and offering a range of top quality foods, gifts and merchandise. Local charities and community groups will be running stands with raffles and fun challenges, all helping to raise vital funds and showcasing their good work. In the Market Square there will be demonstrations and displays celebrating the remarkable heritage of the Gorge and street entertainment will keep the crowds amused throughout the day.

Younger visitors can bring out their arty side and take part in free, hands-on art activities. Meanwhile, anyone with a teddy bear needing a bit of TLC should attend the Embarrassing Bears Clinic at the Merrythought Teddy Shop, where for a small fee they can make minor repairs to any bear.

Throughout the day visitors can discover more about the history of the Gorge as there will be a variety of free walks and talks. A new addition for 2014 will be a fun interactive talk about the Iron Bridge. There will also be a specially designed trail around the town for families to follow.

Visitors to the event will also be able to explore the many riverside shops, pubs, cafés, antique shops, craft centres, restaurants and museums, many of which will be offering special promotions for the day.

Delighted to be able to support the World Heritage Festival again this year, Cllr Kuldip Sahota, Telford & Wrekin Council Leader, said; “The World Heritage Site is a regional attraction and the festival is a great way for people to see the breadth of what the Ironbridge Gorge has to offer. It is a key part of our drive to make Telford a destination that brings in visitors, whether this is to the rich history and beauty of places such the Ironbridge Gorge, the fabulous new offer of Southwater with its leisure attractions or our historic market towns.”

A highlight of this year’s festival will be the screening of Past Lives, which is a compilation of cine footage provided by local people capturing special events such as weddings and birthday celebrations as well as everyday life from the 20th century. Its aim is to share memories and preserve the area’s heritage for future generations through the digitisation of the cine films. The screening will be accompanied by live musicians. Tickets for this cost £3 and must be purchased in advance from the Ironbridge Tourist Information Centre or online at www.ironbridge.org.uk.

Daytime Festival goers should use the fast and frequent Ironbridge Park and Ride Service that operates from the top of Jiggers Bank (Sat Nav TF4 3QE) into the heart of the event. There is a small fee of £1 per adult and children travel free. Station Road car park in Ironbridge will be available for accessible parking only and all other car parks will be for special permit holders only. Parking for Past Lives will be at Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron.

For information about the event visit www.visitironbridge.co.uk/worldheritage, call 01952 433424 or email [email protected]