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For many years Len Cale (he's from Birmingham, he's not Irish) has been a member of the committee that helps toÌýorganise Birmingham's St Patrick's Day Festival.
 | | One face among 80,000 |
Len, dressed as Saint Patrick, leads the colourful parade that winds through the city streets, from Digbeth past the Bullring, and then back to its starting point. This year forty floats, horse and carts, hundreds of traditional Irish dancers and marching bands from across Ireland took part in the parade, which has become Birmingham's biggest one day event.
 | | Parading past the Bullring |
We met Len Cale at the end of the parade, just before he was to lead the massed bands into Digbeth, and asked him about Birmingham's St Patrick's Day Festival, and to tell us why it is so popular. "The turn-out has been very, very similar to previous years when we've been roughly between the 75-100,000 mark." said Len. "The weather threatened at one time but we had a word with the right people and the good weather kept with us, I'm glad to say.Ìý
 | | Part of the 2006 parade |
"As far as an event goes it has been superb again – we've had a fantastic turnout again because everybody knows that if you want a good time and a party, come down and join the Irish on St Patrick's Day." "I think the parade's popular because people know that it was mainly due to the Irish people that we've got the strong and successful nation that we've got now. "They helped to build what we've got in this country now, and they've never forgotten how to celebrate.
 | | Watching the parade |
"With such a famous man as St Patrick to bear in mind, it gives them the excuse every year to get together. It gives Birmingham people, particularlyÌýBirmingham Irish, the chance to say: "'Come on everybody join us for one big party' – and that's what it's about."Ìý "I'll be back next year without a doubt – looking a year younger!" | 
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