Spring is in the Air in Kidderminster Town Centre
Spring is in the air and there’s plenty to be excited about in Kidderminster Town Centre.
It was a fantastic Easter and children loved taking part in the fabulous wonderland trail, organised by Kidderminster Business Improvement District. Special thanks go to Old Tom’s Donuts in the High Street who gave out free donuts to those who handed in their completed trail maps.
There was also plenty of fun at the Mad Hatters Tea Party which was held at the Exchange Café in Kidderminster Town Hall.
Special thanks also go to Sandra at the café for baking 100 cup cakes for the children, in exchange for a donation to Acorns Children’s Hospice, a charity close to her heart. The Café was decorated with all things ‘Wonderland’ from giant mushrooms to mini chicks and bunnies on tables. Children enjoyed having their faces painted and then taking part in the Easter crafts session, making chicks and pocket watches.
The Queen of Hearts enjoyed meeting and greeting children outside before wandering up to the Swan Centre where Sammy Swan and Sonic the Hedgehog were greeting children at The Entertainer toy shop. It was lovely to see so many smiles on children’s faces during the Easter holidays.
Now it’s time to look forward to the longer, warmer days ahead. It’s the perfect time to take a stroll through the town, meet friends and family and perhaps stop off in one of the cafes or restaurants. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy yourself and support local businesses at the same time.
Kidderminster is the perfect starting point for a stroll as the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal runs through the heart of the town. Starting at Weavers Wharf, there are beautiful routes both in the direction of Stourport, or alternatively Cookley and Kinver.
For centuries Kidderminster has been celebrated worldwide as a great centre of carpet manufacture, but the town has so much more to tell.
There is a wealth of stories to explore in Kidderminster’s past, from the Gunpowder Plot to innovations in public health during a deadly typhoid epidemic, and even international industrial espionage.
Join local historian Michael Loftus on Tuesday 10th May to learn about these developments on a very special walking talk. The talk meets at the Museum of Carpet lobby at 10.30am and finishes up at the museum at 12pm, where you can enjoy free entry to the museum and refreshments. Book your place here.
There is also a brand new Wyre Forest Heritage Trail which is set to bring history to life using the latest digital App technology.
The idea for an augmented reality project emerged from discussions about new innovative and creative ways to attract people back into the town centres of Kidderminster, Bewdley, and Stourport in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Wyre Forest Heritage Trail is followed on an App downloadable to a smartphone. Completely free to users, the App guides you on an easy-to-follow trail around the town centres and pauses at locations of historical merit where, using the latest GPS and augmented reality, characters of yesteryear pop up in situ and tell an entertaining story or sing a song.
The App can be accessed from the App store or through Wyre Forest District Council’s website.
Kidderminster BID Manager Alex Powell said:’ It’s going to be a great spring and summer in Kidderminster Town Centre. There’s plenty for everyone to do. We want to welcome more people than ever and invite them to enjoy everything that the town has to offer.’
Kidderminster Town Hall is inviting you to join the choirs and musicians of the West Midlands, all coming together in harmony for a series of concerts to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and in support of the people of Ukraine. For more information and ticket sales please visit here.
Kidderminster BID are looking forward to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and to the red, white and blue flowers which will be arriving soon. Colourful floral displays will be spread out across the town centre.
In addition to the flowers provided by the town council, Kidderminster BID has funded additional flowers in front of Riverside Walk restaurants, the Bull ring roundabout, and the Swan Centre and in Worcester Street and Oxford Street.
It’s all part of their plans to improve the appearance of the town and to make it a better place for the local community, for visitors and for investors.
To celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year, the BID and Kidderminster Town Council have jointly funded red, white and blue traditional bunting to decorate the town. The bunting along with the floral displays will really lift the appearance of the town centre ready for the summer months ahead.
There’s a key date for your diary in July when Kidderminster BID are planning another great Kiddy Proud event. It follows hot on the heels of last year’s successful community event when the town was buzzing with something for all ages. This year Kidderminster BID are hoping it’s going to be better than ever. Kiddy Proud 2 is taking place in the town centre on Saturday July 23. Expect everything from music, dance and food to opportunities to take part in basketball, mini golf, and tabletop football championships. There will are also prizes to be won.
‘We can’t wait to hold Kiddy Proud again,’ said Alex.
‘It’s a chance for Kidderminster to come together and show how proud we are of our town. We can showcase the great things we have to offer.
‘We would love everyone to come along and join in the fun.’
