Celebration of local food at West Buckland School

October 27, 2006, 5:18 pm

THE sun has got its rain hat on, the nights are drawing in and the holidaymakers have packed their bags and gone home.

But the taste of great North Devon food will linger long in their memories. Those of us who live in the region permanently don’t know how lucky we are to have so much tip-top food and drink produced on our doorstep.

It is readily available, too, from town centre shops, farm shops and increasingly from farmers’ markets.

This autumn, you can support the North Devon Hospice and enjoy roast chestnuts with mulled wine at the second festival of Food and Craft at West Buckland School near Barnstaple, on Saturday, October 28

While thus fortified against the passing of the summer, discover some of the very best of Devon food and craft brought together under one roof.

The Devon Slow Food movement has lent its support to the festival and will have a stand promoting sustainable, fair and local food production; these hallmarks of excellence are demonstrated in the quality food products available and by the work of the craftsmen and women in attendance.

A list of all participants and their contact details are available on the dedicated website www.foodandcraft.co.uk Why not browse the site and maybe even pre-order from the range of food and craft available?

Choose from organic Exmoor meats, fishcakes from local waters, apple juice and local cider, a range of cheeses and preserves, Christmas puddings, mincemeat and pates to complete your shopping list! On the day, there will also be your local Riverford organic veg box scheme representatives to discuss any requirements.

With an eye to the festive season, unique presents can be bought from the craftsmen and women who made them. Luxuriously wrapped hand made goats’ milk soaps, exquisite bronzes, pottery and textiles, robust Devon chopping boards, elegant prints and cards, to name but a few. You can even commission a hand cut slate house sign from a working slate cutter!

The Festival will be opened to the public at 12.30pm by Baroness Miller the Lib Dem Spokeswomen for Rural Affairs in the House of Lords. A woman more closely connected to the cause of local food than many politicians, as she owns the Mill Street Deli in Bideford, a haven for local food lovers.

The fair will have around 30 exhibitors, who have been vetted for quality production. Their details will remain on the website until after Christmas to aid last minute present buying!

(this article was taken from the NorthDevonGazette)