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Bank holiday fun from morris dancers to tiger cubs

Tanya Gupta
BBC News, West Midlands
Shrewsbury Morris Dancers The Shrewsbury Morris Dancers performing in the town. The women are wearing colourful pinafore dresses over white tops and the men are wearing white shifts with green Morris dancing jackets. They are dancing in a circle, facing the outside with their backs to the centre. The town, including a black and white building, is in the background.Shrewsbury Morris Dancers
The Shrewsbury Morris Dancers celebrated on 1 May and are dancing this weekend

Morris dancing, markets and Sumatran tiger cubs are among the attractions drawing visitors to the West Midlands this weekend.

Nova, Nadirah and Naresh were born at West Midlands Safari Park in January and can be seen on selected dates in May, including Bank Holiday Monday.

The Shrewsbury Morris Dancers celebrated May Day on 1 May, according to tradition, and on Monday will hold a "dance out" in the town.

The bank holiday also sees the start of celebrations for the 80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day, which continue throughout the week.

Bev Langton, leader of Shrewsbury Morris Dancers, said the team would be in the Dingle at the Quarry on Monday.

The group is getting ready for its 50th anniversary celebrations next year as well as a free day of dance in The Square on 5 July, and Ms Langton said the tradition was "growing apace".

"More and more teams are springing up all over the country," she said. "There are older dancers and younger people coming along.

"It's good exercise. It keeps tradition alive. It's also very good fun. There's camaraderie and friendship - everyone works as a team."

West Midlands Safari Park Three tiger cubs are walking together. There are railings on the left of the photo and grass in front of them. One of the tigers is on a paved area, with the other two on the grass.West Midlands Safari Park
Three tiger cubs were born at West Midlands Safari Park in January

At West Midlands Safari Park, keepers described the birth of the three "adorable" cubs as a "milestone in tiger conservation" and significant achievement.

The Tiger Takeover is being held on weekends from 3 to 18 May, including the Bank Holiday, and daily from 24 May to 1 June.

Visitors will be able to glimpse the playful cubs through peepholes and take part in activities including a trail, performances, crafts and a photo contest.

West Midlands Safari Park Three tiger cubs are playing close to their mother. One of them has its ears back and is holding its paw up to another, which has its eyes closed and its head bowed. the third is crawling under the mother with its tail curling in the air.West Midlands Safari Park
Visitors can view the cubs through special peepholes

Parties are starting for the 80th anniversary of VE Day, which marks the ending of the European phase of World War Two with the unconditional surrender of all Nazi German forces to the Allies on 8 May 1945.

A family celebration at Wolverhampton's Bantock House will have live music from The Bluebird Belles, crafts and afternoon tea.

Haden Hill House Museum and Park in Cradley Heath, Sandwell, is celebrating the anniversary at its annual Fabulous 40s day with historic vehicles, live music and replica objects from World War Two.

Getty Images Crowds celebrate VE Day at the end of World War Two on 8 May 1945. A man in a suit and hat is holding flags in each hand and leaning back and laughing, and women are all around him looking happy. One of the women is holding a crying child. There are more people in the background in the black and white archive photograph.Getty Images
Celebrations are getting under way for the 80th anniversary of VE Day

Other Bank Holiday listings include a family fun day at Warwick Racecourse, with not just horse racing, but also a silent disco, craft tent and circus skills.

The FAB food fest at the Hopton Court Estate, near Kidderminster, will have artisan traders, tribute acts and local bands.

In Burton-upon-Trent, a three-day floating market has been organised, with traders selling art, crafts, food, artisan goods and gifts from their boats, on the canals at Shobnall Fields.

Blists Hill Men and women dressed in Victorian costume take part in a spud and spoon race in a Victorian sports event at Blists Hill. The women are wearing long skirts, which they are holding up with one hand, and blouses rolled up at the sleeves, with straw hats and ribbons. The men are wearing trousers and shirts and flat caps. It is a sunny day and the event is on grass with trees behind them.Blists Hill
Families can try activities that the Victorians would have enjoyed

Back in Shropshire, Blists Hill Victorian Town is holding a Victorian Spring Fair.

Activities include a tug of war, sack race and spud and spoon race, and a chance to try country dancing.

Visitor engagement manager Ross Davidson said it was "a British tradition to celebrate the beginning of spring in early May", and children and adults would be able to take part in events Victorian families would have enjoyed.

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