Every year, an old boundary marking custom is carried out in Lichfield, Staffordshire, with the ceremonial Sheriff and a party of riders from the local area…
Archives for West Midlands
Town turns purple for plum festival
Over the bank holiday weekend, the market town of Pershore will be turning purple in tribute to the humble plum…
Messing about on the river in quirky boats
This summer, there will be an array of events taking place on our rivers, celebrating the traditional yet quirky Coracle…
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing
This weekend, why not celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing with one of these fun and quirky events?
Get some brass this summer
This weekend two brass band festivals will be taking place. Head to Ironbridge for a mix of scenery and sounds, or to County Durham for performances from lively street bands…
An urban bike race with unusual challenges
The Queen Victoria Cyclo-Cross is a urban bike race with a difference, taking place at Blists Hill Victorian Town in Shropshire…
Tattoos and time travel at May’s Museums at Night
This month, museums and galleries up and down the country will be staying open late to host some fun and unusual events, for both adults and families…
Myths, monsters and heavy metal in Birmingham
Home of Metal will present a series of exhibitions in and around Birmingham, to celebrate the legacy of the band Black Sabbath…
The battle for spring at Clun Green Man Festival
The Clun Green Man Festival is a traditional annual event with music, drama and medieval merriment, celebrating the arrival of spring…
Take a walk with a troubadour or discover hidden gems
Walks with troubadours, steam trains, pubs, bridges and coracles all feature in this year’s Ironbridge Gorge Walking Festival…
An immersive spy thriller and a car park theatre
Birmingham’s Flatpack Festival returns this May Day Bank Holiday with an eclectic line-up of screenings, exhibitions and performances…
Go green at the Asparagus Festival
It is the beginning of asparagus season, and in the Vale of Evesham this means a two-month long celebration, full of quirky events…
Live music and special releases at Record Store Day 2019
The nation’s independent record stores are gearing up for Saturday’s big event, as Record Store Day 2019 promises a heap of special releases and in-store events…
Hop aboard for the Real Ale Trail
The Real Ale Trail runs from Spring to Autumn across Wales and the Wirral, allowing participants to visit rural pubs and enjoy some decent beer…
Skip, flip and hurl this Pancake Day
From old local customs to wacky races, there are quirky events taking place all over the UK on Pancake Day. Contrary Life brings you a selection of our favourite events…