WET WEATHER was not a problem for Malvern over the Bank Holiday weekend, as more than 1,000 people flocked to the brand new three-day water festival.
The Great Malvern Water Festival took place from Saturday to Monday and celebrated the role water played in shooting Malvern to worldwide fame.
As a joint project between Malvern Hills District Council, Malvern Town Council, Freedom Leisure and the Malvern Spa Association, the event kicked off on Saturday with a health and wellbeing fair in the Rose Bank Gardens.
An arts and food market was also on offer as well as minibus tours of the various wells across the town.
On Sunday, people gathered at Priory Park for a concert from The Film Orchestra Band followed by an outdoor screening of Singing’ in the Rain.
The main festival day took place on Bank Holiday Monday with more than 700 visitors cramming into Priory Park.
Entertainment included Simon Clark, a water sommelier, who tested visitors on their knowledge to see if they knew their Buxton from their Volvic.
According to the district council, Malvern is the first town in the UK to appoint a water sommelier.
The park was also taken over by a host of activities including a giant water slide, a water zorb pool, a surf simulator, children’s games including the old classic hook a duck and lots more water-related fun.
Simon Smith, economic development manager at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “We are delighted that the first water festival was such a huge success, it was a brilliant opportunity to celebrate the town’s significant history and heritage.
“It was great to see so many people enjoying the wide variety of entertainment on offer and we look forward to hosting many more exciting events soon.”
