Businesses in Lincoln's Cathedral Quarter are organising a
unique Royal Wedding celebration.
Scores of traders are throwing their energies into a special
Wedding Festival, which is designed to highlight that this is the
area to find the sort of brilliant gifts, which would be fit for a
future king and queen.
There's a real buzz in the air as shopkeepers, hoteliers and
restaurants rise to the occasion. Everyone is determined to
create a magical showcase of what they can offer, by putting items
on display in St Mary Magdalene's Church in Bailgate. And they can
be seen by members of the public from April 30 to May
30.
There's an extra special invitation too. People also have the
chance to enjoy a Service of Thanksgiving for Marriage, which
will be held in St Mary Magdalene's on Sunday, May 1 at 4pm. This
will be followed by refreshments.
The Festival is being masterminded by Lincoln BIG (Business
Improvement Group) and the Bailgate Area Guild - with the aim of
encouraging shopkeepers in Bailgate and Steep Hill to choose gifts
which could be given to the happy couple to mark their big
day.
These will all be displayed, with appropriate tags, so that
Festival Visitors can see where they could buy something
similar.
Co-ordinator Annie Houghton, of The Whisky Shop, in Bailgate
said: "Shirley Brook at St Mary's came up with the idea and I took
it to Bailgate Guild members. We have had various displays in the
Church, such as the annual Christmas Wreath exhibition and displays
linked to the Bailgate Restored project, which saw the upgrading
and repaving of our area.
"More than 70 traders have already said they want to be part of
our Wedding Festival, which is fantastic, but of course there is
still time for more to join in. The showcase is likely to feature
anything from special sweets to pies with a Royal twist, Corgia tea
towels, perfumes and even baby bootees!," said Mrs
Houghton.
"Everyone's really getting into the spirit of the occasion and
we are even going to have bride and groom mannequins standing at St
Mary's altar," she added.
Special posters for the Festival are also being designed by at
Steep Hill pottery and arts enterprise Omnipuss.
Lincoln BIG events and promotions manager Michael Armstrong
said: "Everyone loves a Royal Wedding and the opportunity to enjoy
such a joyous occasion and celebrate it in any way possible.
"Businesses in Bailgate and Steep Hill are hoping as many people
as possible will take time out and make the most of this
opportunity to enjoy their fabulous festival and pick-up ideas for
great gifts for their friends' and families' weddings."