The Mistletoe Festival in Tenbury Wells is back on! This is a free family day out and one not to be missed. Saturday 3 December 2022 will see the Town Crier announce the Crowning of the Mistletoe Queen, outside The Regal followed by Dancefest – a local gifted and talented dance group.
The iconic Pump Rooms will house Tenbury’s local Guitar Group, Ukulele Group and Storytelling with Andy Harrop-Smith.
Andy has been telling stories for over 20 years. He’s told tales to toddlers and spun stories to seniors from Aberystwyth to Edinburgh and has seldom been pelted with rotten vegetables. He loves getting the audience involved in the story, so why not come along and learn how to be a Viking! He will tell a tale of the Norse gods for all ages.
Entertainment will include Blackadder Morris; an any age, any gender Morris dancing side which enjoys dancing, making music and having fun together. Black Adder was set up in 1984 and is still going strong. Their dancing style is lively and comes from the North West Morris tradition. Performing in clogs, as were worn in the mills of Lancashire. Their colours are red, gold and back and they dance out in rag jackets.
Watch out for characters Frigg, Loki, Mistletoe Maidens and Holly Henchmen around the town. Market stalls will be located at Tesco market Space and the Historic Round Market.
Why not try some willow crafting and make your own Christmas decorations with Local Willow artist Zoe Disley in the Library. Tenbury Wells has plenty of cafes, coffee shops and pubs around the town, so you won’t go hungry.
Mistletoe sales will be located at Temeside House on Teme Street, situated right next to the River Teme, the Headquarters of Tenbury Mistletoe Association. Here you will find the Mistletoe Shop selling a selection of Mistletoe themed gifts and crafts.
The Mistletoe Ceremony honours the plant and its harvest and is led by Local Druids Jake and Suzanne. Broseley Beats Drummers are joining the celebrations again, they certainly do provide an upbeat feeling. The procession will leave from Temeside House at 3pm, along the riverside to The Burgage. Here a large circle is formed and a story acted out, bringing the Male and Female Mistletoe together. Sacred to the Druids, this 20-minute ceremony is filled with love and a sense of beauty and peace. The Mistletoe is then gifted to the river to take its medicine around the world.
The celebrations finish with the Blackadder Morris dancing in their vibrant costumes and Broseley Beat Drummers. At 4.30pm on Teme Street the Santa Parade will begin.
