A former cattle barn is being transformed into a dream wedding venue with support from Wychavon.
Cherry Orchard Wedding Barn on the Wyke Manor estate is being lovingly converted with the help of a £25,000 grant from the Wychavon Rural Fund. Once completed, the barn will provide the perfect location for wedding ceremonies and receptions, as well as conferences and other events.
The project is the realisation of a decades-long ambition for farmer Charles Hudson, who is also part of the team responsible for the iconic confetti fields which attract thousands of visitors to the area every year.
Efforts are being made to preserve as much of the historic timbers as possible, while modern energy-efficient measures such as double-glazed windows and doors are being installed. Timber grown on the nearby farm is also being used in the renovation to help lower the barn’s carbon footprint. Other features include a wood-burning stove and an outdoor patio area.
The barn conversion is set to be completed by the end of the summer. To enquire about hiring Cherry Orchard Wedding Barn, email
Mr Hudson said: “This is something we have been working on for many years, and I’m delighted that with Wychavon’s help, we’re finally able to make our vision a reality.
“We could have just turned it into a home, but I wanted to create something that would support local businesses and create jobs in the local area for photographers, caterers, etc., so I’m pleased we’ve been able to do that.”
Wychavon is backing the project as part of the council’s commitment to developing and growing the district’s visitor economy.
Cllr Paul Middlebrough, responsible for town and rural vitality on Wychavon District Council, said: “This project is a perfect example of how investing small sums of money in the right places can have a much bigger overall impact.”
The Wychavon Rural Fund was created out of the council’s share of the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund. It supports micro and small businesses in rural areas with grants for capital projects to remove barriers to growth.
Find out more about the Wychavon Rural Fund.
Pictured: Cllr Paul Middlebrough, responsible for town and rural vitality on Wychavon District Council with Charles Hudson and Gabriel Hudson.
