Places Stories

Established in 2004 to preserve the cherished customs of the area, the Tenbury Wells Mistletoe Festival is a unique celebration taking place at the home of Britain's historic Mistletoe industry.

The commercial basis for the festival is the auction of Mistletoe, which occurs a couple of times each year, in addition to a special annual auction in aid of charity.

Myth

Our native Mistletoe, viscum album, holds a prominent place in mythology.

Loki's trickery caused a dart made out of Mistletoe to kill the Norse God Baldr, and in Greek mythology it's said that Aeneas' "Golden Bough" was, in fact, Mistletoe.

In the British Isles, Druids held Mistletoe as a symbol of immortality and rebirth - partly due to its associations with the Winter Solstice – and it was sometimes used as a herbal medicine.

Druids will also feature at the celebrations in Tenbury, blessing most of the Mistletoe that passes through the ancient market town.

Foundations

English Mistletoe thrives on apple trees, so when locals began harvesting plants from the plentiful orchards of the surrounding countryside, it wasn't long before a thriving market grew up around them.

However, Tenbury Wells' long period at the heart of the Mistletoe industry was threatened when the traditional site of the auctions was put up for redevelopment as a supermarket in 2003.

Thankfully, due to the concerted efforts of the local community – who, among other things, lobbied to get "National Mistletoe Day" recognised by Parliament on the 1 December – the Mistletoe auctions and the festivities, which grew up around them, exist to be enjoyed to this day.

Innovations

One of the more recent innovations is the crowning of the "Mistletoe Queen" – the Head Girl from Tenbury High School - but 2008 will mark the first time that she's accompanied by a Prince as well.

Alongside classic games and street entertainment, another modern take on the festival is being led by Daniel Tocchini, acclaimed Worcester rapper, who’s been charged to lay down some verse about the famous plant.  

For more information about the festival, you can visit their website or call Tenbury Events on either 01584819705 or 01584810136.