THOUSANDS of visitors descended on Droitwich over the bank holiday weekend for the annual St Richard’s Boat and Car Festival.
The event began last Friday (May 2) with live music in Vines Park and there was a variety of activities taking place throughout the four-day event.
Among the attractions were vintage car and canal boat displays, boat trips on the Pamela May, craft stalls, a farmers’ market, an Italian market, Morris dancing, puppet shows, stilt walkers, art activities and a duck race.
The Plantagenets Medieval Society took residents back in time and there was the re-enactment of the blessing of Upwich Pit.
Mayor Tom Noyes unveiled the new Netherwich Basin mural, which was co-ordinated by Droitwich Arts Network (DAN) members. It was themed on fairytales.
The arts network also put on an exhibition of paintings, photographs and poetry done by DAN members and there was a display about St Richard’s Hospice and the chance to find out more about founder – Dr Jenny Bulman.
A ‘Snowdrop trail’ of 30 works of art was put up in shop windows and other venues, St Richard’s Hospice Choir sang and members of the Norbury Theatre performed excerpts from Dad’s Army in Gurneys Lane.
The festival was organised by Wychavon District Council in conjunction with Droitwich Spa Classic and Vintage Car Rally group and the Worcester, Birmingham and Droitwich canal Society with support from local businesses and organisation.
Simon Berry. landlord of the Gardeners Arms, praised the organisers and said the overwhelming succeess of the event was a great achievement.
“Our client base from both visitors and locals was well up on last year. We were delighted.”
Janet Yates, the Droitwich Spa area partnership manager, said: “It was a fantastic weekend and great to see so many people enjoying themselves.
“The feedback from visitors, stallholders and town businesses has been really good. The addition of the boating festival has transformed the event and is obviously proving popular with residents and visitors alike.”
Janet added that the next big events would be the Droitwich Spa Festival, which runs between June 20 and July 6, and the Food and Drink Festival on June 21.
“Plans are well underway and organisers are hoping these prove as popular as the festival just gone.” she added.
Visit www.droitwichstandard.co.uk for more information.
Plenty of smiling and painted faces – Tamsin Rudge, seven, has her face painted by Sandra Walsh from Funtastic Facepainting. 1914013ABR
Having an ice time! – Violet Ward, three, enjoys an icecream in the sun. 1914013ABR
Morris men danced on the streets of Droitwich. 1914013ABR
Way to dough – Gialli Girardi from Italian Piazza selling freshly baked bread on his stall. 1914013ABR
Picture perfect – Artist Rosie Philpott with one of her fantastic paintings of Droitwich. 1914013ABR
Droitwich spice – Sarah Mansell from Feisty Flavours holds a jar of wild garlic and chilli sauce. 1914013ABR
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? – Spa Man made an appearance. 1914013ABR
In line for some celebrations – A parade took place as part of the festival. 1914013ABR Pictures by Alex Bradbury.
A fairytale unveiled – The Netherwich Basin design was revealed. Picture supplied by the Droitwich Arts Network. s
