A RECORD number of visitors headed to the Worcester Cathedral over the festive season, writes Maya Dabrowska.
More than 24,066 people visited the Cathedral in the week leading up to Christmas and nearly 14,000 attended services over December.
This resulted in an astonishing 31,000 candles being lit and 37 choral and 61 congregational Carols being sung.
Christmas Eve services saw 3,046 visitors on the one day alone attending the key popular Crib Services and the Midnight Eucharist.
The Christmas Tree Festival saw further records tumble, with visitor numbers rising from 2024’s total of 61,744 up to 75,000 for the latest event.
Living up to its popularity, the festival saw more trees than ever, exceeding over 100 more than the previous year and more than 200 local groups participated in the extravaganza.
New Dedication Trees were also introduced, surrounding the Chapter House as a way for individuals to remember lost loved ones with personal dedication messages displayed on a celebration board.
Donated by St Peter’s Garden Centre, the trees were a sentimental and meaningful addition to the cathedral’s Christmas offering.
Almost doubling 2024, more than 20,000 visitors attended pop-up venue ‘Wulfstan’s Lodge’ during the cathedral’s Christmas Fayre.
Over 1,000 letters were written and sent to Father Christmas using the new featured postbox.
An appeal launched in November aimed at supporting the cathedral’s Promise of Hope at Christmas reached over 4,000 people and has so far raised a staggering £22,300 with gift aid to be added.
The community Christmas tree, donated by St Peter’s Garden Centre was loaded with love with over 1,100 tags.
Among the messages was: “Sending a promise of hope for peace on earth for all mankind.
“Hoping for an end to fighting in the world and a peaceful and happy future.”
Visitor welcome manager, Ros Gammie, said: “We were delighted to welcome so many visitors to the Cathedral to help celebrate our Promise of Hope this Christmas.
“It is wonderful not only for the Cathedral, but the city as a whole to see these visitor numbers during the festive period, and we would like to thank everyone who has visited, donated, lit a candle, attended a service, or written a message on our community tree; we really couldn’t do it without you.”
This year’s Christmas Tree Festival was sponsored by Newmedica, Edmot Property Agents, Haus Installations, Kendrick Homes,
Nick Taylor Plumbing, Peaceful Moments Therapy, Southco, St Peters Garden Centre and Bryland Fire Protection.
Visit: worcestercathedral.org.uk/christmas25 for more information and to donate to the Cathedral’s Christmas Appeal.
