THE OSWESTRY FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL 2010

PLANNING HAS STARTED ON NEXT YEAR'S FESTIVAL

Always amazes me that no sooner does one festival finish, than it's time to plan for the next year.

We're already looking at how to make the 2010 festival extra-special and beautifully-formed. :)

Several exciting new exhibitors from the locale have been in touch to take part next year - which is great! Not to mention, those much-loved exhibitors that it wouldn't be the same without - you know who you are. :)

As ever, we are looking for a food festival for all the family in the heart of our buzzing market town on the Marches.

If you are a local exhibitor interested in showing at the festival, please get in touch soon - the earlier the better.

On the other hand, if you would like to help out at the festival, to put up stalls, hand out programmes, being a festival steward - just get in touch via the contact page.

Once again, we look forward to working closely with Oswestry Town Council, to put on an event th town can be proud of.

That's it for now.

ANOTHER FABULOUS FESTIVAL!

WOW! Oswestry did it again and came out in their thousands to enjoy the Food Festival. A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!

VISITORS FROM EVERYWHERE

We had visitors from all over the place including Congleton. :) Many people came over from the West Midlands, Cheshire and North and Mid Wales. Not to mention, many visitors from the Llangollen Eisteddford who perhaps wanted to sample some local food & drink to take home.

The exhibitors excelled with some top class produce at very reasonable prices. We have had some smashing comments from exhibitors:

"I have only three food festivals in my "can't think what they could do to improve" list: Tewkesbury, Ludlow and Oswestry"

"Never seen so many people in Oswestry for 15 years looked like a real market town should do!"

"The Best, Freshest, Food Festival Around."

THE OPERA SINGERS - BELL'ARIA

Kerry and Grace gave some outstanding performances on both days ranging from the classical to musicals.

Many people have commented how lovely it was to hear classical music for a change being performed live right in the centre of town.

HOW DO WE BETTER THIS NEXT YEAR?

The Oswestry Food Festival Team are already reflecting on what we can learn from this year's festival and how to enhance it for next year. If you have any ideas on what you would like to see or hear, feel free to let us know by contacting us through this site.

So, thank you once again to the exhibitors, the Oswestry people, the visitors, the singers and musicians, the markets, the Town Council team, Shropshire County Council licensing, Country & Border Life, The Advertizer...and all the various sponsors such as Burbidges, P&S Electrical, Upstairs Downstairs, TheBestOfOswestry, Paperways, Oswestry Cobblers, The Smithfield, The Walls and the volunteers.

READY, STEADY...TASTE! :)

This weekend, Sat & Sun, sees the 3rd year of the immensely popular Oswestry Food & Drink Festival with FREE ENTRY FOR ALL!

Last year, around 15,000 visited over the two days, and this year it's even bigger & better with almost 50 exhibitors mostly from within 30 miles of Oswestry - so a truly local celebration of top quality food & drink.

There's beer and truffles, sausages and cheese, ostrich and game, cakes, puddings, jams, crepes, liqueur, and maybe even squirrel!

As well as food, we have lots of entertainment especially OPERA DUO, BELL'ARIA who have played Covent Garden's Crown Court singing around the festival serenading visitors and exhibitors alike! We have Celebrity Cooks, face-painting...

...Salsa in the Square, a grow your own section with info on planting and composting... not to mention The Infamous Tea Dance on Sunday for Severn Hospice - tea, cakes, music and dancing.

Also, many venues around Oswestry are running special events during the weekend from Cocktail Garden Parties to Summer BBQs with Live Music too!

LOCATION

The festival is right in the heart of Oswestry town along Bailey Street, Cross St and New St, and Bailey Head on Sunday.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

...get this week's TIZER which has a pullout Festival Map and Programme, visit the website www.oswestryfoodfestival.co.uk or call at the Festival Stall on the day for a free programme.

The festival is FREE ENTRY and you are invited - so come along, the fun starting at 10am on both days.

THE LOCAL REAL ALE TRAIL

NINE VENUES WITH THREE DAYS TO EXPLORE THE REGION'S ALES

Starts Friday 10th July to Sunday 12th July.

1. The Golden Lion, Upper Church St
2. The Oak, Church St
3. The Wynnstay Hotel, Church St
4. The Fox, Church St
5. The Ironworks, Church St
6. The Smithfield, Salop Road
7. The Griffin, Albion Hill
8. Red Lion, Bailey Head
9. Wilfred Owen (Wetherspoons), Willow St

The First Prize which includes a day's brewing at Stonehouse Brewery and pints to bring home is, well, stunning. Not to mention, Runners-up prizes of glasses, T-shirts etc.

Anyhow, just make sure you call at the Stonehouse Brewery stall at the bottom of Bailey Street with your completed Ale Trail form. These are available from all the above mentioned venues.

And a big thank you to each and every one of the venues for taking part - and to Stonehouse Brewery for their brilliant work in organising it.

What are you waiting for - enjoy! Take it easy :) - but enjoy.

CONGRATULATIONS TO WELSH CIDER CHAMPIONS 2009!

STEVE HUGHES, A FESTIVAL FAVOURITE, HAS JUST BEEN MADE WELSH CIDER CHAMPION 2009 AT THE WELSH CHAMPIONSHIPS.

This year has been hugely successful for Steve. Rosie's Triple "D" Cider won 3rd PLACE at the ROYAL BATH AND WEST SHOW for Dry Cider, then 2nd PLACE in the NATIONAL CIDER CHAMPIONSHIP organised by CAMRA, and to top it all, for the second year running, he won the Medium Cider Category at the WELSH CIDER CHAMPIONSHIP and was awarded the honour of WELSH CIDER CHAMPION 2009!

Well done Steve from Oswestry Food & Drink Festival team and looking forward to seeing you soon!

DON'T MISS ROSIE'S TRIPLE "D" AND HIS OTHER AMAZING CIDERS EXHIBITING.

VOTE FOR POWIS HALL MAKEOVER BY TERENCE CONRAN

WE ARE CURRENTLY RUNNING SECOND IN THIS COMPETITION...SO LET'S WIN IT IF WE CAN.

You need to register to vote. Powis Hall picture is on Page 10/11. Or you can vote via Facebook.

http://mydeco.com/competitions/yourspace/

Thank you!
John

ANNOUNCING OPERA DUO BELL'ARIA WILL BE SINGING AT THE FOOD FESTIVAL!

THE FOOD FESTIVAL WILL BE EXTRA SPECIAL THIS YEAR WITH THE ADDITION OF SOME ENCHANTING PERFORMANCES FROM BELL'ARIA.

They have performed for the Lord Mayor of Richmond, the Lord Mayor of Hull, Princess Katerina and the Lt Governor of Canada and have given opera galas at Covent Garden’s Crown Court, Hampton Court House and many of London’s foreign embassies.

And now, Bell’aria are coming to Oswestry. Can't wait!!!

AT THIS RATE WE'LL BE SOLD OUT!

OSWESTRY AND IT'S FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL CONTINUES TO GROW IN POPULARITY WITH MORE AND MORE FANTASTIC LOCAL EXHIBITORS WANTING TO TAKE PART.

This year the range will be even more delicious. If you are a local exhibitor who would like to be involved then get your skates on, because we are almost sold out. :)

Here a reminder of some of the fun from previous years. It's a SLIDESHOW. So, stick the kettle on and enjoy this little wander through festival memory lane.

Enjoy!

APPLICATIONS ARE FLOODING IN FOR THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL!

AFTER TWO VERY SUCCESSFUL YEARS, The Oswestry Food & Drink Festival has put Oswestry firmly on the foody map.

We are getting many requests to exhibit from across the country - though we aim to stay as true to our aim of a celebration of LOCAL food & drink as is practical.

We look forward again to a cracking event - lots of variety and fun - and YES, we have already booked the sunshine for the two days (you have to get your booking in early).

See you there...

ARE YOU A COUPLE WITH A DREAM OF RUNNING A RESTAURANT?

Raymond Blanc is back and in this time of recession and gloom has an exciting offer for all aspiring restauranteurs! If you dream of running your own restaurant this is for you. Or if you know someone who fits the bill please do spread the word.

If you are a talented cook or host and believe you have the skills to succeed in this challenging and exciting profession then this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You could be a married couple, in a relationship, members of a family, good friends or work colleagues. As long as you share a dream of running your own restaurant we want to hear from you.

Thanks for your help,
The Casting Team

** It's easy to nominate - find out more here.

YOUNGS FARM SHOP - GO VISIT TODAY!

...OPENED ON 8th SEPT 2008

Young’s farm shop will be opening its doors for the first time on Monday 8th September.

The new development which has been over 12 months in the making will offer a new and exciting retail outlet selling locally produced / grown produce including produce that has been grown here on the college campus.

The new retail development will also offer our students and trainees a real life teaching / training area where they can develop the skills they need to work in a retail setting.

The Oswestry Food Festival wish you every success in this venture!

WE INTERRUPT THIS WEBSITE FOR A BBC NEWS FLASH

"As far as I'm concerned these are the Oscars of the food world and it doesn't get much better than this." Jamie Oliver

Categories include:

• BEST TAKE-AWAY
• BEST ' DINNER LADY/MAN'
• BEST FOOD MARKET
• BEST LOCAL FOOD RETAILER
• BEST FOOD PRODUCER
• FARMER OF THE YEAR
• THE DEREK COOPER AWARD
• BEST RETAIL INITIATIVE
• BBC FOOD PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
  

*** It's easy to nominate - find out more here.

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If you would like to know more about "this jewel of a town" as a festival visitor from Coventry described it, the click on The Best of Oswestry.

If you would like to exhibit or get involved in some capacity next year - feel free to get in touch and let us know what you would like to do.

See you there! :)