Shropshire Star

Festive fun at Tenbury Wells mistletoe festival

There was plenty of festive fun as a town held its annual mistletoe festival.

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Visitors to Tenbury Wells on Saturday enjoyed a massive selection of indoor and outdoor events including Morris dancers, willow craft making and the crowning of the Mistletoe Queen.

There were market stalls, a choir and storytellers to entertain the crowds.

A Santa parade also proved popular and there was a world record kiss-a-thon attempt under mistletoe.

A special Christmas workshop took place in Tenbury Library with author, illustrator and writing judge Helen Wendy Cooper.

Poppy Rea, Amelia Migdley, Evie Williams and author Helen Wendy Cooper
Zoe Disley, Willow Artist and Basketmaker
Tenbury Wells Mistletoe Festival

It included a reading of The Kissing Tree – Tenbury’s own children’s book, sponsored by the Tenbury Mistletoe Association and written by Helen, as well as poems, a book signing and creative crafts.

Organisers hailed this year's event a success.

Diann Dowell, chair of the Tenbury Mistletoe Association, said: "The people have had a fabulous time and the shops have said they have had a good day.

"Four children were given golden tickets to take part in the parade and get a special gift from Santa.

"It's been lovely. This year we managed to secure a few grants and the amount of support from the locals who have helped and volunteered to put this on, I've been overwhelmed by it.

"We build on it every year and we will see what we can put on next year."

Tenbury Wells has had a long association with the sale of holly and mistletoe that goes back over a hundred years.

In 2004, the Tenbury Mistletoe Association successfully petitioned Parliament to recognise December 1 as National Mistletoe Day.

The town is very proud of its association with mistletoe and the fact that it hosts the only remaining markets on the last Tuesday of November and the first two Tuesdays in December.

Ms Dowell added: "Being the capital of mistletoe and it's heritage, it means an awful lot to put this event on."