THOUSANDS of people descended on a Victorian industrial heritage site to help raise funds to restore it.

JelleyFest 2024, held on Saturday, August 10, was the first fundraiser event in aid of Jelleyman’s Mill, in Puxton Lane, Kidderminster.

Organised by Jelleyman's Heritage Arts Charity, the event featured a 40-stall mixed-setting craft and vintage market, heritage tours, a yarn sale of wool, and an open mic stage featuring drama groups, poets, and the venue's resident dance school Exhale Dance Studios.

There were also two bars, food stalls and a vintage games tent for children.

With nearly £1000 raised for the charity and lots of positive feedback from stall holders and visitors alike, charity CEO Samuel Davies declared the event a success.

He said: "We opened the gates to the public at 10am buoyed by a great weather forecast. But by 11am it was raining and footfall was very low.

"And then something happened, the sun shone and there was a constant stream of arrivals all day. The yarn sale alone covered the costs of the event, which means that all donations taken on the day will be spent directly on the charity's activities."

Based at the site, Jelleyman's Heritage Arts Charity aims to save and restore the Victorian rope mill, bringing the wider site into use as a community asset.

The festival was the first in a series of fundraising events for the charity.

The charity offers low-cost office, meeting space and event solutions to small businesses, charities and community groups.

They also host various creative groups and courses, and will soon have The Bungalow Café operating on site.