HUNDREDS of thousands of people enjoyed last year’s Worcester Festival, which began in loud and lively style this time last year. The festival was opened by the mayor, Cllr Steve Mackay, outside the Guildhall in Worcester High Street, joined by colourful mascot Percy the Peacock. The Shirley Pipe Band made for a thunderous opening to the festival, which was billed as ‘the people’s festival’ by artistic director Chris Jaeger.

Going strong for 15 years now, the festival is exceptionally broad in scope and ambition, offering something for everyone with 461 events over the course of 17 days. Of those events, 232 were free last year and 75 were £5 or less. Events included circus skills, funky face painting, exhibitions, the Worcester Show in Gheluvelt Park, talks about Worcester’s history, a chance to see Marylin Monroe’s little black dress at the city’s art gallery and museum, a tour of the cathedral library, choral music, the Forgotten Tales at the Swan Theatre which brought to life the folklore of Britain, and the Worcester Camra Beer, Cider and Perry Festival on Pitchcroft. Organisers estimated that between 10,000 and 15,000 people watched the fireworks display alone while they ‘conservatively estimated’ that about 250,000 saw a festival event at some point.

Returning after four years were the Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band. Another highlight was The Codebreakers, an illustrated talk by Dr Mark Baldwin. He brought with him to Huntingdon Hall one of the few surviving Enigma machines which helped turn the tide of the Second World War in the favour of the Allies, bringing to life the invaluable work of the Bletchley Park codebreakers. The duck race at South Quay was expected to raise more than £1,000 for St Richard’s Hospice. Sponsored by Puddle Ducks, it was the first year people were able to buy ducks online.