LAST Saturday’s summer solstice (June 21) was celebrated in Evesham town centre with a successful second pagan festival.
The day was marked with dancing displays in Market Square, free talks in the town hall and stalls around the square and in Bridge Street.
Local witch and psychic medium Tracey Titley kicked off proceedings with a talk on the history of tarot. There were also talks on working with plant spirits and prominent astrologer and former British serviceman Steve Judd signed copies of his new book after his headline talk.
Evesham Pagan Festival organiser Sue Smith. Picture by Lise Evans
Belly dancing troupe Aziza entertained with dancing before sides from the National Morris Weekend took over with a jingle of bells and waving of handkerchiefs.
A wide range of witchy stalls offered everything from crystals to dream catchers.
The event had been in jeopardy earlier this year due to a lack of stall holders but thanks to an appeal by the Observer, organiser Sue Smith got an influx of new enquiries.
Organiser Sue Smith with one of the traders, Jos Clark, The Wyrdwood, Shropshire who carves runic characters from wood. Picture by Lise Evans
Sue to the Observer: “We had a fantastic day, all the traders had a really good day and lots of visitors. The dancing brought colour and music to the square, the talks went down really well and everyone is keen that we run another event next year.
“We heard that the Northwick Arms Hotel had parties of people booked from out of town and local food and drink outlets benefited from the additional custom. They seem to have been full all day.
“I’d like to say a big thank you to all who attended including our traders for their hard work in the boiling sunshine.”
