Gossip Magazines August article

Each month, the Audlem Online team sends a 500-word article about the village to the publishers of the Whitchurch Gossip and Market Drayton Gossip magazines.

These excellent publications are widely (and freely) distributed in North Shropshire and many in Audlem see a copy, particularly of the Whitchurch magazine. Many of our readers, however, are outside their distribution area.

We thought you might like to read what we said about the village earlier this month in the August issues:

Music, Vintage Transport & Beer in Audlem

Something of a miracle happened early last month in Audlem. The village had a massive outdoors party – and it didn't rain (well maybe, to be strictly accurate, there were one or two drops).

It was less of a surprise, on past form, that the Party on the Park, organised by ASET, the Audlem Special Events Team, was probably the best party Audlem has seen for many a year.

Ticket sales had been excellent but, with washouts across the country, terrible floods, seemingly non-stop rain, dire weather warnings, and over an inch (or 25ml) of rain the night before, there were concerns that this summer's monsoon would make the much-anticipated Jubilee Party on the Park yet another casualty of this so-called summer.

But, amazingly, magnificently, all came right on the night. It was even dry underfoot!

Somewhere approaching 1,800 party goers simply danced the night way. They picknicked in style while 'This is Bublé' entertained. The fabulous 'Sincerely ABBA' really got the party going as hundreds danced to some of the most popular pop numbers ever.

Dave Johnson of Signal Radio kept everyone smiling and entertained brilliantly between acts before headline act, QEII, took to the stage.

Described as "The best Queen tribute band in the country", they lived up right royally to their reputation with a non-stop rocking set that had huge numbers dancing, clapping in time to the likes of Radio Gaga, We Will Rock You and so many other legendary Queen numbers.

But still there was more – a fantastic Blitz fireworks display, set to Handel's music, finished a great Audlem night in style.

July ended with the Audlem Festival of Transport, again organised by ASET, with approaching 300 cars, bicycles, trucks and tractors parading through the village. It was an incredible feat to fit so many vehicles on the Playing Field where a helicopter had earlier landed.

It was also quite a feat of organisation down on the canal where a Historic Narrow Boats Gathering, organised by Audlem Mill, saw possibly the largest number of boats ever seen in Audlem somehow float into place.

The crowds were enormous and, just possibly, the occasional showers were turned to advantage as the crowds packed out the pubs and Audlem Mill as they sought shelter.

It was another cracking Audlem weekend, bringing large numbers of visitors to the village and all organised by hard-working volunteers.

The July edition of the Shropshire Magazine featured Audlem too, with one of the best articles about Audlem for many a year. Writer Ben Bentley looked at the village and many of its residents in depth – there were five pages including no less than 27 photos of local personalities to enjoy.

Coming up over the August Bank Holiday is the Audlem Beer Festival. Keep an eye on Audlem Online, which publishes the latest news every day of the year, for details of other good reasons to come and enjoy the village’s many attractions.

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.