Thousands see spectacular finale to bull run in Stamford

The bull run proved to be the highlight of the Stamford Georgian Festival programme.

Starting in Star Lane, Stamford, at just after 6.15pm, the bull wound its way through Broad Street, down Ironmonger Street, and did a lap of the High Street - stopping several times for street performances, much to the delight of the spectators who followed enthusiastically.

The bull run came to an end in St Mary’s Place just over an hour later, where the performers, led by Shademakers, were given a huge round of applause and cheers.

The action then moved to The Meadows, where at 8pm, John White told the crowds the story of the historic bull run, before a second bull was set alight in a spectacular finale that included performances by local school children and a fantastic firework display.

The bull run proved a fantastic finale to a busy day in Stamford. There was a street market in Broad Street and on The Meadows, which was littered with street entertainers.

There were also performances in Browne’s Hospital and Stamford Town Hall, as well as carriage rides through Stamford town centre.

On The Meadows, there were also old-fashioned children’s rides.

The festival has been organised by South Kesteven District Council and a spokesman was thrilled with how the day had gone.

He said this year’s festival was “at least as busy” as the last one organised in 2013, which attracted an estimated 20,000 people over the course of the weekend.

He estimated that several thousand people were on The Meadows to see the bull run finale and was delighted with how it had gone.

He also reported that traders on the street market had enjoyed a fantastic day of trade, which he said could “only be a positive thing for the footfall in Stamford town centre”.

The festival continues today (Sunday) with the traders again setting up their stalls for a street market and more performances. For the full itinerary visit www.stamfordgeorgianfestival.co.uk.