THOUSANDS are expected to turn out for the Cradley Festival which begins this weekend.

A Dalek, Cyberman and K-9 will bringing an other-worldy flavour to Saturday’’s proceedings.

There are a host of events throughout the week in the town at various clubs, pubs, social clubs, schools and churches.

The weather is expecting to be scorching for many of the outdoor events and organisers are hoping to cement the festival in the town’s social calendar for years to come.

Cradley Councillor Tim Crumpton said: “Last year was brilliant and everyone involved is really determined to make this an annual event we can all be proud of.

“We are absolutely delighted to have a Dalek, Cyberman and K-9 at Cradley Library on Saturday.“ Cllr Crumpton has just helped found the Friends of Cradley Library From 10am author and storyteller Chris White will be telling tall tales in the Colley Lane library and families will also be able to enjoy the Dalek show.

Cllr Crumpton said: “We are the first friends group of a library in the borough and we want to celebrate our lovely little library which needs to be used as much as it possibly can in coming years.

“So we are hoping to get every school child in Cradley signed up to the library as soon as we can and this weekend will be the perfect opportunity.” Also on Saturday Colley Lane Primary School is holding its summer fair from 12 to 3pm which will have games and refreshments amongst the attractions.

Then on Sunday there will be a car boot sale at the Laurels from 9am till 1pm followed by a barbecue and karaoke between 3pm and 7pm.

The Why Not Inn is staging the Cradley Quiz from 8pm on Monday and on Tuesday the Ragged School is holding a coffee morning between 10.30am until noon.

On Thursday there is a fun day at Little Hands Children’s Centre from 1.30pm to 3pm and then at 7.30pm local historian Margaret Bradley is holding a keynote speech.

She will deliver Cradley in the 14th Century - life in the community before and after the Black Death at Overend Methodist Church.

She said: “It's estimated that around 40 per cent of the population died when the Black Death reached Halesowen in the spring of 1349.

“We shall be looking at some of the families that were living in Cradley around that time, we know that a man called John Weeler was living at Oldnall and are excited to have some decorated jug handles on display that he could have used, found by field walker Mike Smith.” On Friday Cradley Church of England school fair 3.30pm when the Dalek will be making a return before the St Peter’s skittles evening is at the sports and social club at 7.30pm.

Culture vultures will then be able to see local artists’ work at St Peter’s Church on Saturday as well as enjoy a treasure hunt from noon.

Then the Two Gates Ragged School will wrap the festival up with a strawberry tea from 1.30pm on Sunday.