Gheluvelt Grand Opening Event

Saturday 14th August

A big Thank You to everyone who braved the rain and to everyone involved in making this event happen!

Click here to download the Programme of Events.

    

More Photos to Follow!

The Grand Opening Ceremony

11:00 - 11:40 approx.

In attendance was Robin Walker MP; the Deputy Lord Lieutenant Ray Seale and Mrs Betty Seale; Gheluvelt guests (Alderman & Mrs Bryon; Mr Franky Bostyn); Chairman of the Friends of Gheluvelt Park (Allen Barnatt); Cecil and Beatrice Duckworth and Worcester City Council representatives including Councillor Roger Knight, Deputy Leader of the Council and Mr Mike Harrison, Head of Cleaner & Greener City.

The Worcestershire Regiment

Starts 12:00

The Worcestershire Regiment dates back to 1694 when Colonel Thomas Farrington, an officer of the Coldstream Guards raised a new regiment in London. It was then the custom for Regiments to be named after their Colonels, and this new Regiment was named Farrington’s Regiment of Foot. This method of naming regiments led to confusion, as regiments were re-named with each Colonel, and it was possible for more than one Colonel, and therefore more than one regiment, to have the same name. 

Until 1751, the Regiment had eight different Colonels, and therefore eight different names. In 1751 regiments were given numbers, and the Regiment was numbered 29.

Worcester Flower Show & Partners

Starts 13:00

As well as hosting wonderful displays of flowers, fruit and vegetables, the show aims to encourage and inspire individuals to become involved in making, growing and creating a whole host of things which show off the best of Worcester – in one of the best settings in Worcester.

Trevor Hills Birds and Animals

Trevor Hill Falconry’s display team is one of the largest and most varied in the UK today and includes Eagles, Vultures, Caracaras, Hawks, Falcons and Owls.

Enter the amazing world of Exotic Animals, Reptiles & Insects.

These Encounters will bring you up close and personal with Meerkats, Skunks, Spiders and Lizards to name just a few!

From Armadillos to Tarantulas and Chinchillas to Snakes, these amazing Animal Encounters have something for everyone whatever their age and every occasion.

Drum Arts Big Fun Activities Marquee

Starts 11:00

The Big Fun Activities Marquee is being organised by Drum Arts and will include workshops and performances from many different artists culminating in a Finale Procession at 16:00.

  • 11:00: Drumlove performance featuring drumming from around the world.

  • 11:30 - 12:00: Drumlove workshop

 

  • 12:00 - 13:00: Wyndebagge storytelling and interactive performance, ideal for all ages especially early years and throughout the day will be doing walkabout entertainment around the park.

  • 14:00 - 15:00: Nachda Sansaar Bhangra performance followed by a chance to have a try and learn some dance moves and Indian drumming  

  • 16:00: Finale Performance - this will feature all the artists coming together for a multi-cultural finale celebration.


  • 11:00 - 16:00: Circus Kaos workshops all day and walkabout entertainment plus Carnival Crafts and Face Painting & Body Art

         

    Find us in the Conservation Area.

The Gheluvelt Lecture Series

11:00, 13:15, 14:00 & 14:45

A series of lectures given by Mark Jackson, Chief Executive of St Richards Hospice and the Western Front Association.

A former Army Officer, Mr Jackson, returned to his roots after travelling with his wife Kathy and family all around the world while working for HM Forces. Raised in Worcestershire, and a former schoolboy cricketer for the county, Mr Jackson followed his father into the Worcestershire & Sherwood Foresters Regiment.

His army career spanned the Cold War and troubles in Northern Ireland as well as working for NATO and two years in the USA co-ordinating British participation in coalition training for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Mr Jackson was awarded the OBE when commanding the Regiment.

The Western Front Association (WFA) was formed in 1980 to further interest in The Great War of 1914-1918. A registered charity, our primary object is to educate the public in all aspects of The Great War.

The Western Front Association will be carrying out research on Great War casualties for relatives and decendants. They have a comprehensive database, backed up by other means of research, which forms a major part of their display. Please bring as many details as possible if you would like to find out about a relative!

  • 12:00: Mark Jackson
  • 13:15: Western Front Association
  • 14:00: Mark Jackson
  • 14:45: Western Front Association

The Friends of Gheluvelt Park

Gheluvelt Park Friends was formed in 2003 to work with Worcester City Council, the Duckworth Trust, local Residents Associations and others to develop and increase the use of Gheluvelt Park. .We currently have 540 members and a committeee of eight.

The Friends will be hosting:

  • Competion & prize stalls
  • Childrens slides and roundabout
  • Youth Bus
  • West Mercia Police van and stall
  • If you're interested in membership you can join here too
  • The Friends of Gheluvelt Park are gathering local artists to play on their music stage.

Find us adjacent to the Sons of Rest building.

The Friends of Gheluvelt Park Music Show 

Starts 12:00

  • 12:00: Kings and Folk - A magical local family band playing bright folk tunes and beautiful classical pieces

  • 13:00: Youth Showcase - Anya Pulver strums her acoustic guitar, Evie Cunningham sings awe-inspiring acapella & the Harlequins Dance Group perform astounding synchronised pop-video choreographies

  • 14:30: Voices Unlimited - Worcester's 100-strong community choir pays a visit with its broad and fun repertoire

  • 15:00: Babajack - Bluesy and rootsy trio with a palpable hypnotic voodoo power and a spellbinding new album to share.

  • 16:00: Nigel Clark - Frontman of good-time britpop band 'Dodgy' brings soulful new songs to offer amongst familiar summery favourites; a real treat for everyone!

    • Find us adjacent to the Sons of Rest building.

Bowmen of England

Starts 12:00

We are a traditional group of Longbow Archers, who are able to provide assistance, talks on archery, shooting demonstrations, Costumed Archers with Longbows and Arrows, Archery competitions, and allow the public at every opportunity to shoot in an English Longbow, under strict supervision and safety.Find us opposite the Big Fun Activities Marquee.

Find us in the Conservation area behind the Flowershow marquee.

The Bandstand

There will be music on the bandstand, both traditional and contemporary.

Duck Race

All Day

£1 per duck

Find us starting from the Barbourne Brook Weir next to the Sons of Rest field.

Splashpad

11:00 - 18:00

Adjacent to Sons of Rest building.

Also...

  • Park Project DVD show
  • 40+ community and commercial market stalls (open 11:30)
  • Play Area

Refreshment Outlets

  • Greenlink Organics  Find us in the Food Court area opposite Dizzy Dogz
  • Dough on the Go wood fired pizza  Find us in the Food Court area opposite Dizzy Dogz
  • Pumphouse cafe open all day
  • Cafe2u (the supreme bean machine) Find us in the Sons of Rest field
  • Ice Cream Van

Other Information

  • First Aid supplied by British Red Cross  Find us by the Food Court
  • Lost Children will be looked after in the Pumphouse
  • Toilets (inc disabled) are in the park on the corner of Barbourne Road and Barbourne Lane; in the Pumphouse and throughout the venue.
  • Parking - No Parking in the streets around the park except in the designated visitor parking - follow the AA signs
  • Park and Ride - the W1 bus service (Perdiswell Park and ride) will make an additional stop/pick up at The Swan / Barbourne Brook, for people travelling to and from Gheluvelt Park on 14th August. So leave your car behind and let the bus take the strain!
  • Dogs - If you bring your dog please be a responsible owner and abide by the bylaws. Please clean up after your dog.
  • Alcohol is prohibited.
  • Not sure? Ask anyone with a high visibility jacket!