MALVERN’s annual Mayor’s Bonanza day-filled party over the weekend was declared the best ever by delighted organisers.
The charity Bonanza, organised by Malvern Town Council, returned to Priory Park on Sunday with the weather perfect for hundreds to flock to the event and support the Mayor’s Coun Cynthia Palmer’s charity – Acorn’s Children’s Hospice.
Deputy Mayor Coun Hannah Campbell, accompanied by Malvern’s Town Crier Mike Fray, opened the event pleading for everyone to have plenty of fun.
The day saw faces painted, balloon models made, circus skills taught and dozens of masks made in craft workshops.
Local musicians kept the audience’s feet tapping right up until 6.30pm, which included gypsy jazz from the Remi Harris Project, blues-rock from Bourbon Alley, vocal harmonies from the VoxRox Choir, a typically ebullient blast of ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll from Miss Pearl and the Rough Diamonds, and Blue Moon closed the show with a selection of classic blues numbers.
Coun Campbell also presented the winners of this year’s Malvern in Bloom Residents’ Garden and Traders’ Window competitions with their prizes.
The three Trader’s Window Competition prizes are awarded for the best window displays in Barnards Green, Malvern Link, and Great Malvern, and this year were won by Barnards Green Post Office, the St Richard’s Hospice shop in Malvern Link, and the Malvern Hills Gallery in Great Malvern.
In the annual Resident’s competition prizes are awarded in five categories: Best Front Garden, Best Back Garden, Best Courtyard Garden, Best Assisted Garden, and Best Hanging Baskets.
Prizes were won by Lionel and Jackie Groves, Mr and Mrs Eaton, Mike Pain, Joan George, and the Clarence Park Gardening Club respectively.
Mayor, Coun Palmer, told the Observer more than £1,800 was raised for Acorns Children’s Hospice which she labelled a ‘brilliant’ result, and testament to the generosity of Malvern residents.
Coun Palmer said: “I would like to thank everyone who came to the Bonanza for their support, and the staff, volunteers, performers and traders who helped to make the event such a success. We very much look forward to welcoming you all to next year’s event.”
The Friday Beer Company, Hilltop Farm, the Indian Rasoi, Blueberry Button, Glassware, Just So and Barnards Green Post Office all did a roaring trade throughout the day.
