Plug pulled on annual festival near Bridgnorth

Morville Festival, which usually runs over May Day weekend, has been scrapped this year to give the organising committee a rest.

The fete is seen as a quintessentially English experience, with maypole dancing among a host of activities usually taking place in the gardens of Morville Hall.

Of the money that is raised, half usually goes to Morville Primary School and the rest is divided up between local churches.

Bridget Chappuis, from the organising committee, explained that a number of reasons had contributed to organisers pulling the plug this year, including new tenants arriving at Morville Hall at the end of April, committee members or their families suffering illness and chairwoman Kathy Renshaw standing down from her role.

"We first did it in 2000 as a one-off celebration, but it raised so much money we kept it going. It has made tens of thousands, probably more, for local charities.

Amazing

"The current tenants are moving out of Morville Hall two days before the date the festival would have been happening. It wouldn't really be fair on the new tenants if hundreds of people descended when they're moving in.

"Kathy was treasurer first and then chairwoman. It's a demanding role, there is a lot to organise. With other committee members having difficulties as well it seemed natural to have a break this year. We could probably do with some new blood on the committee to help organise everything, because it's been the same people doing everything for the last 18 years."

She added: "People come from all over the county, so we need to let people know that it is not happening this year. But it will be back.

"I have been part of the festival committee for as long as it's been running. It has been so successful," she said.

Last year's event was described as an "amazing turnout, one of the best in a long time," as 400 people descended on the village. It featured a flypast by a Second World War RAF Hurricane from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, a ukulele band, stalls, line dancing display, face painting and donkey rides.

There was also a Punch and Judy show, a coconut shy and vintage tractors, while the 900th anniversary of The Church of St Gregory the Great was also marked. Historic pictures were also on display for people to reminisce.