THIS year's TUC Women's Chainmakers' Festival in Cradley Heath has been branded the best yet.

The High Street was packed with entertainers, live theatre, stalls, with speeches and musical performances throughout Saturday afternoon.

The keynote speaker was Stoke on Trent North and Kidsgrove MP Ruth Smeeth who hit the headlines last week after leaving Labour's anti-Semitism conference early after being abused by an audience member.

She said: "I have had a difficult few days and we (Labour) are going through a difficult time.

"However, our movement has survived very difficult times and we have come through them, we will continue to fight for what is right."

She added: "I was brought up on the stories of the trade unionists and we need to continue to tell these stories.

"It is right we celebrate Mary Macarthur and those women who stood behind her, it shows what can be achieved if we stand together.

"The women of Cradley Heath showed what can be done and we need to fight like that now because we have so much to do."

Former Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP Sylvia Heal and TUC Midlands vice chairman Kate Hudson also gave speeches.

Rob Johnston, from the TUC, said: "The event was fantastic as it was really busy and full of families having fun.

"The lively nature of the event proved again it was the right decision to move from the Black Country Museum because it brings us closer to local people who want to know the history behind our battles."

Sandwell UNISON branch secretary Tony Barnsley said: "It was a great day and as it was held on the High Street on a shopping day there were a lot more people around.

"There are a lot of people who don't know the history of their local area and the chainmakers' festival is great opportunity to tell them about Cradley Heath's union heritage.

"That is the advantage of holding the festival in Cradley Heath and not the Black Country Museum because we can get more people involved."

Belle Vale councillor Ian Cooper said: "It was the best chainmakers' festival yet, there was even a row over the minimum wage, but all in good spirits of course."

Stephanie Peacock, West Midlands GMB representative, added: ""The GMB were pleased to support the annual Women Chainmakers' Festival in Cradley Heath.

"There was a great turnout from the local community for the banner procession through the high street and the GMB were proud to have our President Mary Turner speaking.

"It is important to commemorate and remember the struggle of the women chainmakers', it was their fight that laid the foundations for todays the minimum wage."