In 2006 Stafford is celebrating its 800th birthday. It is 800 years since King John granted its first Charter and to mark the occasion The Queen visited the county town. A special tea party was arranged for her majesty, where she got to share her 80th birthday with dozens of local people. Listen to a summary of the Queen's visit (recorded from BBC Radio Stoke's Stuart George show) by clicking on the link below: To coincide with the Queen’s visit, BBC Radio Stoke and the BBC Staffordshire website made the week beginning March 27 ’Stafford Week’, with a week of programming and features dedicated to the 800th birthday of the borough of Stafford. Stafford Charter The Stafford Charter was signed by King John on May 1, 1206 which recognised the area as a borough. It's one of the most important anniversaries the town has seen for a long time and the borough council, along with other businesses and organisations put on many events to celebrate. Stafford’s Market Square will be the centre of the main celebrations in May according to organisers, with festival style entertainment including music and dancing on a purpose built stage. A second Tea Party will also take place in May at the Guildhall Shopping centre for local residents who aren’t 80! Visitors can find out more about the Stafford 800 celebrations and the town's history from the Stafford borough council website, by clicking on the link on the top right of this page. Stafford stories… At the end of March 2006, BBC Radio Stoke looked at the town's history, and the importance of the charter. There were also other Stafford stories: the moving out of the RAF to Cambridgeshire; the current on-field and off-field success of the local football club, Stafford Rangers; and a day in the life of the town's mayor! Click on the links below to listen to the features: | 
