DESPITE the disappointment of a cancelled Carnival and Plum Festival, Pershore roared back into life with an action-packed Welcome Back Weekend.

Attractions and events throughout the town ensured that the Bank Holiday Weekend had plenty to offer locals and visitors alike.

At the heart of the event was a two-day market on Abbey Park. On Sunday, the stalls were joined by a funfair, a dog show, ferret racing and live entertainment — including an Elvis impersonator. 

Among the exhibitors at the site was Lewis Newell of Em-power Fitness 24/7, who offered visitors the chance to test their strength. He said: “We raised a good amount of money for children’s charity Rays of Sunshine, so thank you for everyone who took park. 

“Look out next year for a strongman competition!”

Earlier that morning, running group Pershore Plum Plodders arrived at the scene at the end of their traditional 10k plum festival run. 

On Saturday, Pershore reverberated with the sound of music with three separate stages drawing crowds to the Football Club, the Angel Inn and the Star. 

The Angel’s Little Plum event held five sessions of music and food across Saturday, Sunday and Monday. 

Meanwhile, at the Star, fans of 90s music were treated to performances by Dodgy’s Nigel Clark and the Seahorses’ Chris Helme.

Crowds also gathered for a showing of Paddington on a big screen in Abbey Park from 8pm on Saturday.  

The weekend also featured decorated shop windows throughout the town and a Plum Heritage Art exhibition at the Town Hall. Art lovers were also invited to follow an Art Trail created by the town’s innovative graffiti artist Mr Sce.