Foodie fun at Newport festival
Hundreds of people visited a food and drinks festival in Newport which has been hailed a success by organisers. The Food Frenzy event, which was organised by Newport (Shropshire) Town Team, featured 55 stallholders selling a variety of local and regional produce. There was also a host of street entertainers and a packed programme of events on Saturday. Pictured is Heather Williams from Shrewsbury.
Stalls included an array of breads, cakes, flap-jacks, chocolates, fruit, vegetables, sauces, condiments and preserves, pies, beers, cider, wines and hand-crafted kitchenware.
Visitors were delighted by the hot and cold food to go with Asian and African foods available alongside burgers, hot dog sausages and hog roast buns.
In the events marquee, celebrity chef Dave Mooney entertained crowds with his masterclass.
Top local chefs Peter Roberts and Chris Burt featured in a Ready Steady Cook competition and visitors also enjoyed food demonstrations.
Geoff Rodgers entertained crowds with his vast array of popular music and songs, Desi Nach entertained crowds with their Bollywood dance routines and Shropshire Falconry proved a big attraction for younger visitors.
Mike Atherton, one of the event organisers, said “We are absolutely delighted again by the community turnout for this event.
“They came in their hundreds and had a great day out, so much so that many of the stallholders ran out of stock. There was a fantastic atmosphere with everybody enjoying a really great family day out.”
“The street entertainers were fabulous and Nova Fm provided superb support yet again.
“The success of an event like this is not just what it delivers on the day, often visitors to successful events in a traditional market town like Newport return again to shop in our local outlets.
“Several local traders said they had benefitted from the fantastic turnout whilst others are optimistic that visitors will return.
“We are delighted by the success of this event but we are not complacent. We know that we can improve the event and we are determined to give those who supported us in high numbers an even better day out next year.”
Mr Atherton thanked Councillor Lyn Fowler, Major of Newport, and local business sponsors who had attended a breakfast launch to kick-start the community event.
