ALCESTER knows how to throw a party and the return of the town’s food festival was just that – one big party and the busiest in the festival’s history.
The High Bailiff of Alcester David Henderson gave his seal of approval to the St Maurâs elderflower liqueur produced in Alcester by William Seymour, the Earl of Yarmouth, pictured at the Alcester Food Festival with colleagues Corbyn Wells and Callum Bates. Photo: Mark Williamson A31/5/2504. (56873533)
There were 100 stalls in High Street and beyond selling cheeses, pies, breads, meats, sausages, fruit and vegetables, chocolates, beers, ciders and wines, and with all that on offer it’s easy to see why people travelled from around the West Midlands to taste the tempting treats.
Organisers believe that Saturday’s festival – back after Covid – saw the most people ever attend the event.
Helen Broughton from Croome Cheese near Worcester sold their produce at Alcester Food Festival on Saturday. Photo: Mark Williamson A31/5/2511. (56873540)
Festival chairman, Dave Henderson, said: “The stalls were starting to sell out by lunchtime and local suppliers who were on site had to quickly produce more items to cope with demand. One of the big advantages of the festival is the free park and ride service available to visitors, but that was so busy we had to order in additional coaches for this as well.”
Festival day starts at 4am with the stalls put in place and streets closed to traffic. It usually ends at 6pm with the stalls cleared and the streets cleaned, but on Saturday it ended an hour later than usual because there were still so many people in town.
Australian style fudge was on offer from Trevor Bishopâs Shipston based UK Fudge Company at the Alcester Food Festival on Saturday. Photo: Mark Williamson A31/5/2519. (56873541)
Pubs benefitted from crowds of thirsty visitors and Alcester Court Leet visited seven different stall holders to undertake their historic assizes, where they sample food and drink before presenting stall holders with a certificate to confirm their products are top quality.
The festival has a reputation of bringing a lot of people together to enjoy a colourful scene of food and drink and it’s a recurring theme in the town, as Dave explained: “I think the culture in Alcester is amazing.
“I’ve lived in a lot of places and been here for over 20 years and it’s one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever experienced. All of the community just wants to party and this year’s food festival certainly beat all expectations.”
Jacky and Pip Taylor of Jackyâs Pantry sold their award winning marmalades, jams, chutneys, relishes, pickles and sauces at he Alcester Food Festival on Saturday. Photo: Mark Williamson A31/5/2521. (56873544)John Embleton promted the Woodland Trust at the Alcester Food Festival on Saturday. Photo: Mark Williamson A31/5/2527. (56873545)Visitors formed long queues for the burgers and hot dogs on this stall at Alcester Food Festival on Saturday. Photo: Mark Williamson A31/5/2535. (56873546)Bruce Wallwork displayed his hand crafted food chpping boards Alcester Food Festival on Saturday. Photo: Mark Williamson A31/5/2540. (56873547)Visitors Darku Abbey and his daughter, one-year-old Jessica, enjoying a juicy burger Alcester Food Festival on Saturday Photo: Mark Williamson A31/5/2543. (56873548)These chocolate delights attracted people to the Alcester Duck Race stall manned by Buglar. The annual charity race takes place on 9th July. Photo: Mark Williamson A31/5/22/2548. (56873549)A packed High Street as thousands attended the Alcester Food Festival Photo: Mark Williamson A31/5/2553. (56873555)Alcester Food Festival was full of goodies including these delights created by Warwick based Divine Doughnuts sold by Sue Brown. Photo: Mark Williamson A31/5/2555. (56873559)The Barbour Shop in Alcester created a tropical bar outside the shop in High Street manned by Julia Ferguson and Dawn Hawkins. Photo: Mark Williamson A31/5/2557. (56873112)As the day went on the the queue got long at this burger and hot dog stall at Alcester Food.. Photo: Mark Williamson A31/5/2661. (56873561)Charlie Wells, right, and Hannah Dawson from The Farm in Snitterfield did a roaring trade in fresh vegetables at the Alcester Food Festival on Saturday. Photo: Mark Williamson A31/5/2563. (56873113)A packed High Street as thousands attended the Alcester Food Festival Photo: Mark Williamson A31/5/2605. (56873562)Naughty but nice. Photo: Mark Williamson A31/5/2612. (56873563)Tucking in to doughnuts at the Alcester Food Festival on Saturday was Abbie White, aged seven, and her brother James, six. Photo: Mark Williamson A31/5/2619. (56873564)
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