Emma Reynolds, Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East and Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, is joining in the celebration of Black Country Day. Events have been taking place throughout July as part of the overarching Black Country Festival, now in its second year across all parts of the Black Country including Wolverhampton.

Black Country Day is today (14 July) and marks the anniversary of the invention of the Newcomen Engine, the World’s first steam engine, built in Dudley in 1712.

Emma said, “I want to wish everyone in Wolverhampton a happy Black Country Day.

“Black Country Day is a great way for people in our city and across the rest of the Black Country to come together and celebrate our proud history.

“The Black Country was the cradle of the Industrial Revolution as the design of the Black Country Flag demonstrates so well.

“I joined with other MPs in flying the flag at Westminster. Black Country Day is a great way of promoting the Black Country throughout the UK and abroad.”