What we did in 2023
Wellington H2A is a small outfit that runs on volunteer time, a few grants and some donations. One year can look much like another, though when possible we add something different into the mix. This year, alongside our regular events – Charter Day and the Midsummer Fayre – the ‘something different’ was planting two mini-orchards. In 2023 we were grateful to all those who helped us make our events happen, and especially to those who funded our work: Wellington Town Council, Telford and Wrekin Council, Wellington Town Partnership, and our sponsors: Joy Francis and Smiley Faces Nursery; DB Roberts; and Love Wellington, plus a couple of very generous residents who support us every year but who shun any publicity.
CHARTER DAY 2023 in March saw crowd-pleasing Jon from the Boadroom Gaming Cafe kick of the day with games in Market Square, followed by dancing from our friends the Ironmen and Severn Gilders, the arrival of the King’s Herald (this year Kurt, also from the Boardroom) – wearing a lovely new tabard made by Helen (ALSO of the Boardroom – what a team). The Court Leet convened to reappoint the market clerk, town crier and ale taster for another year, and back at The Pheasant it was Lynn Manville who triumphed in the Battle of the Buns.
WELLINGTON MIDSUMMER FAYRE 2023 returned to its usual spot of second Saturday in June, following our slight deviation the previous year to coincide with the late Queen’s jubilee. Entertainment came from some old faces and some new: Wellington Brass Band, Odd Socks Ceilidh Band, Hadley Orpheus Male Voice Choir, the Wellington WI Ukuleles, ToriArts, the Ironmen and Severn Gilders, the Shropshire Boatmen, the Conwy Jester and Jack the Jester (plus friends), the Telfordaires, the Severn Valley Stompers and Above My Head Puppets. We were also joined by the Belfrey Theatre, who again lent us some of their fantastic costumes for use in our costumed procession – this year marking its 250th anniversary – and over 40 stalls filled the churchyard. The evening ceilidh at Little Wenlock was our biggest ever!
PLANTING A CORONATION ORCHARD: After a successful grant application to Telford and Wrekin Council’s Coronation Fund, plus match-funding from Wellington Town Partnership, we were able to work with local organisations and residents to plant two new mini-orchards in the centre of Wellington: one at All Saints Church (plums, damsons and cherries) and one at Union Road playing fields next to The Wrekin Inn (apples and pears). We’re hugely grateful to All Saints and Rowton Brewery for supporting this – and their commitment to help look after the trees as they grow – plus those local people, several connected with environmental groups, who helped with planting on the day. Perhaps this can be the start of a new Wild Wellington trail with mini-orchards, mini-forests and meadows right across the parish?
