Staffordshire Day 2022 – in the countryside

Staffordshire’s beautiful countryside and urban green spaces will be the centre of attention for the 2022 Staffordshire Day celebrations.

Coordinators Enjoy Staffordshire, in conjunction with We Are Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council, and other local authority partners, have chosen The Great Outdoors as the theme for the 7th county day, which falls on Sunday 1st May.

A host of events and activities will be organised to promote Staffordshire’s natural assets, including the Staffordshire Day Film Competition (https://filmfreeway.com/STAFFORDSHIREDAYFILMFESTIVAL), which returns for a second year.

The competition, sponsored by the Staffordshire Film Archive, is open to all film-makers, but all entries have to be either filmed in Staffordshire or celebrate the county in some way. There are six categories, with a £500 prize for the overall winner.

Philip White, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member with responsibility for tourism at Staffordshire County Council said: “We have a lot to shout about here in Staffordshire, and over the last six years we’ve used Staffordshire Day on 1st May to tell the world what a wonderful place it is to live in and visit. This year’s theme is the great outdoors and we’re celebrating our amazing countryside and open spaces. With national treasures like Cannock Chase, the Peak District, part of The National Forest and numerous country parks, we have so much to explore and be proud of.

“As in previous years, we want everyone to join in the celebrations. There will be a host of different events and activities over the weekend, including our film festival which is back for this year, so we’re encouraging people to take part and get exploring. Our last two Staffordshire Days were held virtually because of Covid-19, so this year we’ll be crossing our fingers and hoping we can get back to physical events and celebrations.”

Louisa Shaw, Place Brand Manager for We Are Staffordshire said: “During the last two years of the pandemic, people have realised the value of the green spaces and natural environment around them, and how this is central to our sense of quality of life and wellbeing.

“We have an abundance of open countryside and protected natural landscapes across Staffordshire, and these spaces are not only attractive tourism destinations, but a central part of the lives of people who live and work here, where people can find tranquillity, get active and come together to enjoy quality time, as we are so eager to do on Staffordshire Day, after two virtual years of celebration.

“We’ll be releasing details of the programme of public events and activities taking place over the coming weeks, but with sustainability high on the agenda, we’re looking forward to celebrating the great outdoors in Staffordshire this year, showcasing why our county is such an attractive place to live and visit.”