Saint Richard or Richard de Wye was born near Droitwich Spa but moved to the south of England when he became Bishop of Chichester. However, when the brine wells dried up in 1296, Saint Richard came back to the town to bless the wells and, as miracles would have it, they started producing salt again. He has been celebrated ever since.
The canal festival, which is a celebration of the saint, has been running since 2011 when the canal was reopened having been restored to its former glory. This year’s event, which takes place from 5pm on Friday 29 April – Monday 2 May, looks set to be bigger and better than ever. Focused on the town’s Vines Park, one of the event’s main attractions is the sheer number of boats who come to participate in the celebrations. Enjoy the spectacle of a host of narrow boats and even experience a taste of canal life with a trip along the canal on the rather lovely Pamela May
Over the four days, a host of live entertainment will be on offer including bands, choirs, and soloists. There will be plenty to keep the kids entertained such as a bouncy castle, a fun dog show and community stalls showcasing the best of Droitwich Spa. And once you’re ready to refuel, choose from a range of different food stalls as well as a real ale and cider bar that serves over 20 different beers and 25 varieties of ciders. But perhaps the highlight of the festival is ‘The Great Droitwich Duck Race’ which takes place on the Monday at 4.30pm when scores of ducks race at a leisurely pace down river. Sponsorship of a duck is a mere £1 with some great prizes on offer for the triumphant winners.
For more information on the festival, visit St Richard’s Canal Festival website.
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