THE best of British from our elegant motorcars to our proud musical pedigree was on display during a sultry summer weekend of fun.
The Great British Summer Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, organised by Worcester BID, lived up to the hype as the crowds flocked to Worcester city centre to enjoy an all-singing, all-dancing display designed to show everyone what the city and the country has to offer.
The Rock Choir, with 90 members, belted out pop, gospel and rock songs including Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi, How Deep is Your Love by the Bee Gees and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.
Helen Just, leader for Worcester, Droitwich and Malvern Rock Choir, urged more people to join the confidence- building outfit.
She said: “Everybody can sing. It’s just a confidence issue.”
The event will help warmup their vocal cords for an even bigger, 150 singer performance outside Worcester’s Guildhall on August 17.
Other attractions included face-painting, cream teas, a surfing simulator at Angel Place, a vintage court event at Reindeer Court and live music from violin master Shulah Oliver with Selina Bella Strings in CrownGate Shopping Centre. Two Morgans courtesy of the Morgan Motor Company drew admiring glances as people savoured the best of British craftsmanship.
One of the cars, a blue classic 4/4, was the car that turned Prince Charles’ head during his recent visit to the factory in Malvern. Its owner Mike Taylor said Prince Charles’ fingerprints were still on the car.
Robert Dance, a tour guide at the company, was also showing off the green Morgan three-wheeler. He said: “You get a lot of respect from other road users.”
Dancefest, part of Passeggiata, brought some 1950s style to the streets ahead of a bigger performance involving 50 dancers on July 27.
Poppy Marriott, aged 24, the project manager said: “It’s a modern twist on a 50s theme.”
Adrian Field, Worcester Business Improvement District manager, said 100 business had been involved in the day (compared to 58 last year) and 48 had taken part in a window dressing competition. He said he wanted the annual event, the second of its kind, to draw people into the centre of Worcester.
He said: “It is injecting life into Worcester, getting people to stay longer and generating a nice atmosphere so people come back and it is an opportunity for businesses to showcase themselves.”
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