DESPITE the chilly weather over the bank holiday weekend, huge crowds still turned out in Droitwich town centre for the annual St Richard’s Boat and Car Festival.

More classic cars than ever before were on show in Ricketts Lane Car Park in the town centre as part of an ever-growing festival, while more than 40 boats moored up in the canal.

Armoured medieval knights staged displays for the visitors in Vines Park, while stalls formed a street market for the three day weekend, and a packed line up of live musical acts entertained the crowds including the Chuck Harriet Trio, Shady band, Chicago Bytes, Strip the Blues, Worcester Ukulele Band, Appalachian Dancers, Blackwell Concert Band, Hollywood Hobo and several local choirs.

Visitors enjoyed a real ale bar in Vines Park, and re-enactors recreated the blessing of the Upwich Pit by decking the brine pit in greenery and tapestry, before a new mural was unveiled in Netherwich Basin, designed by local children.

The festival is organised jointly by Wychavon District Council and the Worcester, Birmingham and Droitwich Canals Society, and also includes a number of arts activities, and craft, vintage and farmers’ markets.

Janet Yates, Droitwich Spa business partnership manager for Wychavon District Council, said: “It’s been a bit more challenging this year with the weather, but we had more boats than last year, more classic cars and more stalls, so it was an excellent weekend.

“Even though Saturday was cold there were still lots of people out determined to enjoy themselves. It’s lovely to see so many people.”

David Wheeler from the Worcester, Birmingham and Droitwich Canals Society added: “The weekend went absolutely brilliantly. We had a little bit of rain on Sunday, but it didn’t really affect the entertainment, and yesterday was absolutely brilliant. Lynn Duffy started the duck race for us and she commented ‘what an absolutely wonderful festival for Droitwich’.

“It’s just getting better and better each year, and this year it’s the anniversary for 200 years of navigation of the Worcester Birmingham canal.

“What I like about the St Richards Festival is that it’s a very good site, it’s a very good venue, and the community of Droitwich comes out and supports it which makes it all worthwhile.”

Children enjoyed activities including judo demonstrations, canoeing and a chance to test their golfing skills or play a ukulele, while visitors also had the chance to enjoy the Word War One and World War Two travelling museum, and enter their pets into a dog show organised by local vets MacArthur, Barstow and Gibbs, which raised money for Danemere Animal Rescue and Bishops Wood Swan Rescue.

Mayor Bob Brookes joined in with a number of the events taking place throughout the weekend. He said: “we had an absolutely splendid turnout and a good time was had by all, it was wonderful supporting everybody and hearing lots of people enjoying themselves.”

To keep up to date with news on next year’s festival, keep watching strichardsfestival.co.uk.