Oswestry and Beyond Heritage festival is officially underway after mayor Councillor John Price opened it on Friday.

He was joined by mayoress Cllr Joyce Barrow and Mark Hignett from Oswestry Town museum who welcomed everyone, including festival sponsors Beaumont Financial.

Andrew Henderson, a representative from the National Heritage Team in London, who had travelled up especially to attend the launch, was introduced and said how impressed they were with the way that all the Oswestry heritage groups worked together to put on such a wonderful festival.

Mark said: "It was fantastic to see so many supporters coming along to look at the display of Oswestry’s heritage journey, right from 2010 when the ‘festival’ consisted of four displays in the former borough council's council chamber up to last year which saw 217 events on offer, all of them free to enjoy."

Particular tribute was paid to Corrie Davies, former Shropshire Council Enablement Officer who was a key partner in setting up and expanding the festival,

Mark added that it was great that all her support, advice and help in the past had ensured that the festival was strong enough to continue and had enabled to festival to continue to grow.

Everyone enjoyed the event and there was a definite buzz in the room as the guests got a glimpse of what is being planned for this coming September with the addition of one or two (Oswestry Specials) including a Jigsawathon and a thought provoking Craftavism event.

Full details will be in the festival booklet available shortly.