Bucking the national trend

 

They have attracted a record number of stalls to the Festival which takes place in the magnificent grounds of Glansevern Hall Gardens, Berriew on September 1 and 2, and despite the venue being up for sale, it appears that the show will still go on beyond this year.

A total of 115 stalls have confirmed they will attend with 30% being new businesses, demonstrating that the food industry of Mid Wales is fighting back against the economic downturn, explains Bernard Harris, Chairman of the Welsh Food Festival.

“We’re delighted that against a tough economic backdrop the Welsh Food Festival provides some hope for the food industry in Mid Wales.

“Events such as the Welsh Food Festival are so important to rural areas as they provide a platform for producers to showcase their produce as well as attracting thousands of visitors to this wonderful part of the world.

“Montgomeryshire has a fantastic reputation for good food and drink and this Festival is all about celebrating that tradition. There are so many benefits from buying local; the reduction of food miles; the reassurance of excellent quality food and of course the enormous support to the local economy.”
 

To accommodate the festival’s growing popularity a brand new rural lifestyle and country living area will be unveiled at the Festival.

The two-day event promises to have something to ignite the passion of all the family including  food demonstrations from top chefs such as Dudley Newbury;  donkey rides and gardening activities for children as well as live music entertainment by the lakeside.

The Food Festival was established in 2005 as a result of Jenny and Neville Thomas’ determination to help reconnect people with their food and attract more visitors to Mid Wales. It was this passion that led them to offer Glansevern Hall Gardens as the home of the  Festival.

“We are very proud of how the Welsh Food Festival has flourished to become one of the best in Wales. We believe that it encapsulates everything that is special about this wonderful part of Wales - the talent of the people, the quality of the food and  the wonderful culture,” said Jenny Thomas.

Last year over 6,000 people attended the festival, and it is hoped that more will attend this year owing to the timetable of activities and ongoing food demonstrations.

The Welsh Food Festival is sponsored by Glansevern Hall Gardens, Tanners, Pickstock Fuels, Wynnstay Group Plc, Harrisons Solicitors, Country and Border Life, South Caernarfon Creameries ,The Co-operative membership, Exwavia, Potters Recycling, Organic Centre Wales, Whittingham Riddell LLP and the Welsh Assembly Government.

For further information about the food festival visit www.welshfoodfestival.co.uk or follow on Facebook.

 

While Glansevern Hall is currently for sale, the Welsh Food Festival committee, and especially the Thomas family, want to reassure visitors that it will continue as an annual event.