March 4, 2011 11.38 am This story is over 163 months old

Bailgate shops huddle for Royal Wedding

Wedding fest: Businesses in Lincoln’s Cathedral Quarter are organising a unique Royal Wedding celebration.

Uphill Lincoln businesses are organising a wedding fayre next month, starting a day after the Royal Wedding in April.

The businesses will be putting items on display to the public in the Bailgate’s St Mary Magdalene’s Church from April 30 to May 30.

There’s also a chance to enjoy a Service of Thanksgiving for Marriage, which will be held in St Mary Magdalene’s on Sunday 1st May at 4pm.

The festival wants to encourage shopkeepers in Bailgate and Steep Hill to choose gifts which could be given to the Royal couple to mark their wedding.

These will all be displayed, with appropriate tags, so that festival visitors can see where they could buy something similar from.

Annie Houghton of The Whisky Shop in Bailgate co-ordinated the festival:” 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.”

“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.”

Special posters for the festival are also being designed by at Steep Hill pottery and arts enterprise Omnipuss.

Lincoln BIG’s 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.”

Source: Lincoln BIG | Photo: The British Monarchy