Countdown to Clitheroe Food Festival
Three prominent East Lancashire businesses have combined to officially launch the fifth annual Clitheroe Food Festival.
The Seafood Pub Company, Barnfield Construction and Thwaites joined forces to sponsor a garden party at Lord and Lady Clitheroe’s Downham Hall to mark the countdown to this year’s event.
Over 150 guests enjoyed a BBQ and seafood dishes prepared by the Seafood Pub Company, who run the Assheton Arms in Downham and have six further dining pubs with rooms across the county. These dishes were complemented by ales supplied by Blackburn brewer Thwaites whilst the branding at the event was sponsored by Barnfield Construction, who are currently erecting the steel frame for Clitheroe’s new Aldi and Pet’s at Home stores.
Guests at the event helped to raise funds for the festival and learned more about the local food and drink producers who will be showcasing their products and the demonstrations which will be taking place.
“Clitheroe Food Festival is one of the highlights of our events calendar so it was great to be able to help this year’s festivities get off to such a good start,” said Seafood Pub Company managing director Joycelyn Neve.
“The festival brings together a wide range of Lancashire’s best food and drink producers and the atmosphere in the town centre is always fantastic. There was a real buzz among the guests at the launch party about this year’s activities and we are really looking forward to being involved.”
Tim Webber MBE, chairman of Barnfield Construction, added: “This is the first time we have been involved in the launch of the Clitheroe Food Festival and it has definitely got us excited about the main event on Saturday 8th August.
“Almost 20,000 visitors discovered the best of food and drink in Lancashire at last year’s event and this year looks set to be even bigger and better. The event is a fantastic way of showcasing Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley and the addition of fringe events like the fine art, sculpture and craftsmanship show will allow visitors to see even more of the town.”
Michael Ranson, Clitheroe Food Festival chairman, thanked Ribble Valley Borough Council for their continued support of the event along with local businesses for donating raffle prizes for the launch.
ENDS
Picture shows (l-r) Michael Ranson, Duncan Isherwood, Ian Lloyd, Andrew McLean and Antony Shirley (sat down)
Notes to editors
Over 100 food and drink producers will be exhibiting at the Clitheroe Food Festival on Saturday 8th August. Tickets can be purchased for master classes and demonstrations by top professional chefs including Michael Heathcote and Victor Yu. For further information on the festival, visit www.clitheroefoodfestival.com