BEWDLEY has been famous for its cherry orchards for almost two centuries and the town’s civic society and museum will celebrate the fruit with its annual Cherry Fair.

The fair is taking place over this weekend, Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, at Bewdley Museum and will feature numerous events relating to the fruit.

The museum staff will be selling varieties of cherries as well as displays and activities with a cherry theme will occupy the venue.

The Civic Society stand in Bewdley Town Hall’s foyer will also have a selection of cherry trees for sale and many different varieties of cherry for visitors to taste.

Entertainment on both days starts at noon, with the Groove Diggers band playing in the museum’s Green Theatre between 1pm and 3pm on Saturday.

On Sunday, the Harvington Household Georgian dancers will be performing from 1pm, and between 3pm and 5pm music will be provided by Remi Harris.

Activities for all the family include a variety of craft stalls and face painting.

Brian Stephens, organiser of the fair, said: “Bewdley became, apart from Kent, the largest centre for cherry production, being ideally placed for rail distribution.

“Cherries prefer well drained soil, suitable temperature regime with winter cold chill, and moisture.

“Locally, the many small-holdings with well-drained sloping fields, not suitable as arable land, proved profitable for orchards.”

It is believed that cherry fairs in the town have dated back to at least 1817 where it was also held on July 26, a fair day granted by King Edward IV in 1472.

Cherry fairs were re-established in the town to help generate interest back into the fruit and inform the public about the old varieties of cherry grown locally.

Mr Stephens said: “In reviving the Bewdley Cherry Fair, albeit in a very modest way, we are hoping to generate interest in cherries and awareness among local people, of different cherry varieties and flavours.

“Come and support this unique event and help recover our long established, but recently lost interest in this wonderful fruit.”

The fair will take place between at Bewdley Museum between 10.30am and 4.00pm on the Saturday, and 10.30am until 5pm on the Sunday.