Midsummer Fayre returns to Wellington this Saturday
Wellington will step back in time this Saturday, 13 June, for its annual Midsummer Fayre, organised by volunteers from Wellington H2A and All Saints Church.
Rooted in the town's ancient St Barnabas Day fairs - which by the calendar of the day coincided with the summer solstice - the Midsummer Fayre is the biggest free community event in the town's calendar.
This year's Fayre has a floral theme, marking 250 years since local botanist Dr William Withering published his pioneering botany of the British Isles. Visitors are invited to come wearing something floral in his honour, fashion a buttonhole or hair decoration at Flora 250 stall, and to look out for the man himself in the grand costumed procession at 1pm.
It's also a milestone year for some of the event's performers. As part of celebrations to mark their 50th anniversary, the Ironmen and Severn Gilders Morris dancers will be hosting a 'day of dance' in Market Square featuring Morris dancing sides from across the region. Meanwhile, the Hadley Orpheus Male Voice Choir - this year celebrating 125 years - will be performing inside the parish church.
With forty food, craft and community stalls in the grounds of All Saints Church, hundreds of performers filling the town with music, dance and street entertainment, and a costumed procession dating back to the 1770s, organisers say it's a day not to be missed.
This year's event is being made possible by Wellington Town Council and local businesses FRO Blinds and Rowton Brewery. Full programme available at wellingtonh2a.org.
