STOURBRIDGE'S Mary Stevens Hospice is pulling out all of the stops to make its upcoming summer fayre the best ever.

Event organisers are going above and beyond to make this year's event one to remember - having had to cancel the 2020 fayre due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A parade through the streets of Oldswinford will kick off the proceedings ahead of the official opening of the event at 11am on Saturday September 4.

The parade will start at the Crabmill Pub at 10,30am and go down on to Swinford Road, left on to Love Lane, left again on to Oakleigh Road, then right onto Hagley Road and into the hospice.

People who live along these roads, along with hospice supporters and fundraisers, are invited to cheer on the procession which will comprise luxury cars and children’s characters and be led by a specially selected hospice queen, prince and princess - sponsored My Little Teepee & Co.

The event itself will include two soccer skills sessions for young football enthusiasts run by professional coaches (one from Aston Villa).

The sessions will include a penalty shoot out and a special football guest will give out medals to those taking part.

There'll also be afternoon tea sessions hosted by Funtime Theatre, filled with songs and party games while people enjoy cakes and sweets, plus live music and entertainment hosted by Black Country Radio volunteers and sponsored by care home Parkfield Grange.

Other attractions will include a Punch and Judy show, ladies boutique fashion stall, dog show sponsored by Black Vets, all-day barbecue, traditional carnival games such as hook a duck and tin can alley, dartboard football, fairground rides, stalls and a bottle tombola.

James Totney, community and events fundraiser at the hospice, said: “We are all working hard to ensure that this event will be a day for our community to enjoy and remember for many years to come. We are pulling out all of the stops to make sure that there is something for absolutely everyone to enjoy.

"It is the perfect opportunity to welcome our incredibly supportive community back to the hospice, we can’t wait to see everyone on the day.”

Local business Vantage365 are sponsoring this year’s fayre so all funds raised will go to support patients and families around the Black Country that need hospice care.

There'll be free parking on the hospice site in Hagley Road.

For more information and to book the soccer skills or afternoon tea sessions visit https://www.marystevenshospice.co.uk/event/summer-fayre-2/