IT was a busy weekend right across Worcestershire with battle re-enactments, church processions and lessons in being green.

A crowd gathered in Worcester yesterday to celebrate 100 years since the founding of St Martin’s Church in London Road.

At 9.30am a brass band led a procession, mirroring the walk that took place a century ago, from South Hayes Care Home to the red brick church. The congregation sang Onward, Christian Soldiers and the special chuch service was led by the Bishop of Worcester, the Right Rev Dr John Inge.

The Rev Canon Ken Boyce, rector of St Martin’s, said: “We’ve been organising these weekend events for at least a year. We’re actually planning to hold various events over the next 20 months up until the date that the church building was completed.

“So many people have been involved, not only the church council, the wardens and myself. We’ve had an archive group digging around to see what Worcester was like 100 years ago. We’ve got an exhibition, 14 ladies who decorated the church for a wonderful flower festival, there’s the social committee and the stewards. Lots and lots of people.”

Elsewhere, history lovers were entertained at the annual Armoured Picnic at Spetchley Park, near Worcester, on Saturday and Sunday. The living history event, now in its third year, saw re-enactors from all over the UK don period costume and put weapons on display.

Co-organiser Brian Bullock said: “This started off as the Worcester Re-enactors’ end-of-year bash just for some fun, but it’s grown into something a lot bigger. It gets busier every year. We hope people come along because they like history. It’s putting history back into someone’s life. They get a feel for what it looks like, rather than reading it dry out of a book.”

On Saturday, shoppers paid a visit to St Helen’s Church in Fish Street, Worcester, for the city’s second vintage and craft fair, which saw craftspeople and artists from all over the Midlands selling chic handmade goods alongside vintage and retro clothing.

Co-organiser Jo Bourke said: “It was packed with people all day and the royal tea shop has been really popular. The fair is getting more established and we’ve got people coming to us asking if they can be involved. It’s a fantastic response.”

Yesterday, people visiting the Fold eco-community centre in Bransford, near Worcester, were spending their money on locally produced food and drink.

The Earth Fest was a big success, with guests learning how to live sustainably and taking part in various artistic workshops.

The aim was to celebrate Worcestershire’s green heritage. There was a bar with local ales, ciders and wines, musicians performing for free, and a range of complementary health and beauty therapies on offer.