HOW THE Worstead Festival STARTED
It all began with an idea to fund urgent repairs on the church.
The festival was founded in 1965 (with the first festival taking place in July 1966) to raise money to save the extraordinary village church, which was falling into disrepair. The first weekend was the first time when England won the Football World Cup, which makes it even more memorable.
So in 1965, every household in Worstead had all been given a charity money box to raise funds to stop the church falling down - it quickly and affectionately became known as the ‘Swear Box’.
After the festival’s first year, it quickly became an event to celebrate the historical ‘Worstead Weavers’ of which the village is known for, alongside farming and the rural way of life that has been here for hundreds of years.
The festival became so popular and well known, that on the 29th July 1985, the Queen’s Mother even came to visit the event!
The video shows the crowds of people there to greet her, alongside the 1985 Committee who she met.
Queen Elizabeth, the late Queen’s Mother at the 1985 Worstead Festival!
Black and white of a horse and trailer taking people on the road
1985 the Queen's Mother visited the Worstead Festival, and is featured welcoming crowds of people.