Wizards and muggles alike in Ashton can look forward to a magical experience this May as the Willow Wood Flower Festival announces its new Harry Potter theme.
Set to be held in the gardens of the Willow Wood Hospice, visitors have been promised a long weekend of exhibits and activities inspired by the Wizarding World.
The event will also feature a visit from Bill Andrew, the driver of the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films, who will be signing books and photographs on the first day of the festival.
This year will mark the ninth time the Flower Festival will return to Ashton, with all proceeds from the event going towards the Willow Wood Hospice, which supports patients across Tameside and Glossop with life-limiting illnesses.
Last year’s event saw the Flower Festival embrace ‘all things Willow Wood’ as its key theme, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Willow Wood.
The event will also feature a range of cardboard cutouts and curated displays, all of which will be on sale to fundraise for the hospice.
Ian Ravey, the managing director of Star Cutouts, said he was excited to be supporting the Flower Festival.
“We thought it would be really nice to support Willow Wood Hospice,” he said.
“It’s an organisation I have had experience with, because they looked after my brother before he died.
“They rely on charitable donations, so it is always good to help when we can.”
The event will be hosted by a dedicated Flower Festival Committee, who said they were “absolutely thrilled” for this year’s Harry Potter theme.
The Flower Festival will be open on Saturday 10th May from 10am to 4pm and Sunday 11th May from 11am to 4pm.
Entry to the Flower Festival will be £3.50, with free admission for children aged 12 or under.
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