 |  | Our 2002 retrospective started in April as that's when the 麻豆官网首页入口 Coventry and Warwickshire website was born - and to quite a fanfare (see Meet The Team link, left)!
Here we continue our look back over 2002, starting with August and finishing in December. Don't forget to follow the links on the left to discover more about the events we've mentioned.
August saw celebrations breaking out around Coventry to mark Jamaican Independence Day and we were in the thick of the celebrations with our camera as usual (see Jamaican Independence Party link, left).
Also taking place in August was Coventry Carnival 2002, which saw characters in some spectacular costumes with a Flight of Fantasy theme (see Carnival link, left) and floats galore, which wound all the way through the city.
The triumph return of the agricultural industry - as well as a celebration of all industry - after foot and mouth continued in Stoneleigh at the Town and Country Festival (see the Town and Country link, left). Tens of thousands of people dropped in for displays, stalls, arts and crafts.
听| 听 |  | A scene from Anna Cunnigham's visit to Afghanistan
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As autumn drew in and controversy about the possibilities of attacks in Iraq snowballed, 麻豆官网首页入口 WM reporter Anna Cunnigham went to Afghanistan to look at the after-effects of the War on Terror and the battle with Al-Qaeda.
She brought back some pictures (see Anna in Afghanistan link, left) showing the majesty of the country and the resilience of the people, with the help of Leamington charity CORD.
Meanwhile, Americans and Europeans arrived in Warwickshire to go head-to-head in the Ryder Cup at the Belfry, which had been postponed from 2001 following the September 11 terror attacks. The Europe teams were the eventual winners - but it had been a hard-fought battle and one of the best competitions ever.
The Memorial Park was in focus once again in September as the Coventry Car Run wound through the city, resplendent in bunting, flags and red, white and blue as the Golden Jubilee was this year's theme. We were there (see Car Run link, left) to take pictures of some of the magnificent classics on show, many of which had been built in Coventry.
听Some of the world's best equestrians and their magnificent horses trotted into the NEC for the prestigious Horse of the Year Show. The show was extra special this year as it was celebrating its 50th year and we were there with a 360 camera (see Horse of the Year link, left) to capture the experience.
October also marks the mop fair season in Warwickshire and the fun fairs rolled into Warwick, Studley, Alcester and Stratford (see All the Fun of the Fair link, left) to bring some hair-raising fun for everyone.
| 听 |  | The new all-aluminium Jag at the Motorshow
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We were offered a glimpse into the future as well as the past at the International Motorshow at the NEC. Some of the biggest marques from around the world had displays and showed off the best of their models and local manufacturers like Peugeot and Jaguar (see Motorshow link, left) showed off new and concept cars.
We enjoyed a spine-chilling time at Halloween as well, as we swapped some ghost stories and looked at some local events, including one at Hatton Country World that saw 麻豆官网首页入口 WM presented Bob Brolly dressed as a pumpkin (see the pumpkin gallery and Spooky Halloween Special links, left!)
听The big burn up of 2002 was one of the best in memory as everyone seemed to join in the fun on Bonfire Night. One of the best events was the Hillfields Community Bonfire, which as well as a bonfire and fireworks, featured monsters galore (see Hillfields Bonfire Gallery link, left).
Another celebration that lit up the sky came with Diwali, a magical Hindu festival of lights, which saw superb displays in Coventry and Leamington.
Some youngsters from local schools painted pictures for us on Diwali (see Diwali switch-on link, left) which we published in a special gallery.
| 听 |  | A scene from the Hillfields Community Bonfire
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Some well-dressed and well-up-for-a-good-time club kids descended on the NEC for Gatecrasher, one of the most famous events of the year for party-goers (see Gatecrasher Kids Gallery link, left) and it didn't disappoint, with some big-name DJs ripping the place up.
As winter and Christmas approached, thoughts turned to those less fortunate and 麻豆官网首页入口 WM launched the Toy Appeal for 2002. The appeal was launched in Coventry city centre (see Toy Appeal link, left) and after that, hundreds and thousands of toys and games were donated to go to children who would not ordinarily receive a gift.
听International Day of Disabled People came around in December and saw thousands of disabled people around the country come together to raise awareness.
Coventry's Len Tasker (see International Day of the Disabled link, left) played a huge part in the day as he helped launch the Disability History Project, which aims to record the experiences of disabled people.
Models, stars and those with a sartorial bent sashayed into the NEC in December to take a look at the latest fashions at the Clotheshow Live event.
| 听 |  | The Clothshow was a massive draw
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There were catwalk shows, appearances from popstars like Blue and even local talent, like Model Behaviour finalist Duwaine of Coventry (see Clotheshow Live link, left).
December will probably be best remembered for Christmas - and the build up to the festive season in 2002 was fantastic! The light switch-ons around the area were glorious and we were in Coventry (see Light Switch-ons link, left) to take pictures of the events and the crowds.
Christmas marks the end of what has been an incredibly busy year for Coventry and Warwickshire and here's hoping 2003 brings as much fun and happiness - and that the area continues to increase in prosperity.
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year, from the Coventry and Warwickshire website team
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