Mistletoe tradition hit by recession in Tenbury (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Mistletoe tradition hit by recession in Tenbury

8:00am Friday 4th December 2009

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FEARS that the market may be falling out of love with the traditional kissing tree are casting a shadow over Tenbury’s annual mistletoe and holly sales.

The Tenbury mistletoe sales are traditionally held on the final Tuesday in November and the first two Tuesdays in December, with sellers and buyers converging upon the town from all over the country.

Tenbury auctioneer Nick Champion, who has conducted the sales for more than 30 years, has warned that mistletoe and holly is not immune from the recession.

“We have to be prepared to recognise that demand may be less this year because the downturn affects all parts of the economy,” said Mr Champion.

He added that he is expecting to get a better gauge of how the market is holding up after reviewing the results of Tuesday’s sale, traditionally the biggest one.

“The indications are that there is a good crop this year so we hope that the sales will go well,” he said.

Cut holly and mistletoe have given the sale its name but wreaths and other floral arrangements are also sold.

Mistletoe from all over Worcestershire, Shropshire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire is sold at the Tenbury sales.

The sales make a major contribution to the local economy both through the revenue generated and also because of the money it brings into Tenbury and the surrounding area.

For 150 years, the sales were staged at the town’s auction yards but moved in 2004 and are now staged in Little Hereford.

Tenbury holds its annual Mistletoe Festival on the first Saturday in December, three days before the final sale of the season.

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