Time to show Oswestry some love at new festival
The people of Oswestry will have the chance of an early St Valentine’s Day and show their love for the town with the launch of a new festival.
“Love Oswestry” gives local people the opportunity to watch or take part in a feast of exciting cultural events throughout the day and into the evening.
It is taking place this Saturday (12 February 2022) throughout the town.
The idea for the Love Oswestry day and the co-ordination of the programme has come from Oswestry’s Cultural Consortium. The consortium is a group of people involved in the town’s culture and heritage, and forms a key part of the High Street Heritage Action Zone, part of a national programme of High Street Heritage Actions Zones which are funded by Historic England
The Love Oswestry programme involves Oswestry Library, Oswestry Town Museum, Cambrian Railway, Tourism Information Office and the Business Improvement District (BID). Local cultural organisation Designs in Mind have set up a beautiful lantern parade, led by young people as part of a spectacular finale. And Shropshire-based Twisted Agency Ltd have designed a really exciting music programme which ends with a free concert in the Hermon Chapel Arts Centre.
Local people have been able to sign up for writing and music workshops, free guided tours of the town, and there is folk music in the pubs and on the streets. As well as the concert at Hermon Chapel Arts Centre, we’ll all be able to sing along with Igloo Hearts on Bailey Head at the end of the lantern parade. Together with a few special surprises, this will provide a fitting finale to the outdoor action.
Local people will also have the chance to write about the things they love in Oswestry and their ideas will be turned into an “Love Letter to Oswestry” by local poet Emily Wilkinson.
To view a programme for the day visit https://www.visitoswestry.co.uk/love-oswestry-oswestry-valentine-event/
Mayor of Oswestry, Councillor Mark Jones, said:
I’m really glad that the very special nature of Oswestry is recognised by Historic England. And I’m even more glad that Love Oswestry gives us all a chance to do some great things and to celebrate what’s really special about our town. I’m sure everyone will have a brilliant day and big thanks to the people and organisations involved in the Cultural Consortium who haven given us a day to remember.
Graham Mitchell, Chair of Oswestry Consortium, said:
I’m really delighted that the members of our group have pulled out all the stops to put on this exciting programme with something for everyone. It has been a real team effort and we hope that the people and businesses in Oswestry will have a great day …with the promise of more to come throughout the year.
Samantha Jones, High Street Heritage Action Zone co-ordinator, said:
We are really excited about a very special day that brings alive Oswestry’s culture and heritage and lets people find out more about this historic, friendly and surprising town. Historic England will be delighted to see this great example of how programmes like this can be great fun for people of all ages.
