Village’s festival is hailed a success

The fourth Croxton Well Dressing Festival was attended by residents from the surrounding villages of Market Drayton.

The event centred around Boughey’s Well in the middle of Croxton, near Market Drayton, with parking available nearby.

Festival committee member Judy Thompstone said: "Many turned out to see the official opening by Staffordshire police and crime commissioner, Matthew Ellis, supported by county councillor, Jeremy Pert, and the traditional well blessing by reverend Terry Williams.

"This took place at Bougheys Well in front of the main well dressing, which had as its theme - supporting the community – the emergency services.

"Other community services depicted in four further well dressings along the trail were the National Royal Lifeboat Institution, Staffordshire Shropshire and Cheshire Blood Bikes, and Staffordshire’s Lowland Search and Rescue.

"Pupils at Standon All Saints First School had also created a triptych well dressing based on the theme of their school badge, and another one represented five groups which serve the local community, namely Broughton WI, Croxton & Broughton Garden Guild, Broughton Community Choir and Broughton Tennis Club.

"Community and craft stalls, photographic and marquetry displays, Eccleshall Scouts BBQ, a chance to have a go at petalling, plus music by the Tern Valley Tinkers, were also on hand, and the day was rounded off with a concert of music and poetry in Croxton Church in the afternoon.

"This was a true community project with input by many people, too numerous to mention by name, but the main accolade should go to Ros Langford for her enthusiastic leadership and skill in organising and motivating everyone at all the stages along the way, and to Ken Langford for his invaluable support, not least in leading the group of unsung heroes responsible for transporting and erecting the well dressings on the day."