We're delighted our famous CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL has been shortlisted in the 'Festival & Event of the Year' category in the Visit Worcestershire Tourism Awards 2024/25.
We're celebrating being shortlisted in two categories. The Cathedral ferryman of four decades, Mark Glossop, has also been shortlisted in the Unsung Hero category.
Each December the Medieval Cloister is adorned with a glittering avenue of Christmas trees innovatively designed by local schools, charities, businesses and other organisations.
The Christmas Tree Festival is extremely popular and attracts many thousands of visitors each year. Last year’s festival saw more trees than ever, with 135 participants and for the first time ever, branched out into the Chapter House.
This year’s festival will be open to visit from Thursday 5 December 2024 until Monday 6 January 2025 (excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), during normal visiting hours.
Further details on visiting the Christmas Trees will be released closer to the time, so please keep an eye on the Cathedral website and social media channels for updates.
The second category sees Mark Glossop shortlisted, one of the founders (and rower!) of the Cathedral ferry since 1983, who retired this year - after 41 years at the helm!
The Cathedral Ferry has been rowing people across the River Severn from the Water Gate for over 600 years. It has a rich history dating back to the 12th century when it provided a direct and convenient crossing for monks and milkmaids to cross the river to work in the meadows and the Priory of Hardwick in St John's. The ferry crossed the river every day until the late 1950s.
The service was restarted in 1983, when the current boat 'Doris' was launched. Since its inception, Mark volunteered to run and row the boat.
Mark was contacted by Nicola Milne, wife of the then Head Master of King’s School, over concerns about the distance students were walking in order to access playing fields on the other side of the river after Saturday school. Mrs Milne ear-marked Mark as someone who would lend a hand to address the problem.
Fundraising began and they decided a vessel to ferry the boys across the river and back was needed on Saturdays, and with the agreement of the then British Waterways, the idea came to fruition.
Mark sourced the boat when on holiday in Dorset that year. He found a strong, sturdy, wide vessel, built circa 1960, and it's the same ferry that still runs today. Originally called Moonraker (probably after the James Bond film), it was decided to rename the boat Doris (after Doris Kinnersley - a local woman who did much for local good causes).
The Cathedral Ferry currently operates on Saturdays but at Bank Holiday weekends on the Sunday and Monday as well, from April to September, 1.15pm - 5.15pm. You can hop on 'Doris' the ferry down by the Water Gate and cross the river for 50p per person, taking in the spectacular views of the Cathedral from the river*.
*Weather permitting.