Category Archives: food festival

#AMAZINGACCRINGTON FOOD FESTIVAL ANOTHER ROARING SUCCESS

 

THOUSANDS came out once more to enjoy the sights, sounds and the wonderful flavours of the Accrington Food & Drink Festival.

On Saturday, June 3, Accrington town centre was, once again, awash with foodies and revellers as they enjoyed what has come to be something of an institution in the town every year.

The 20th annual Accrington Food Festival, organised by Scott Dawson Advertising, built on the success of the previous two years, attracting numbers that even eclipsed the 14,000 of last year’s event.

Murray Dawson, Managing Director of Scott Dawson Advertising, said: “This is the third year in a row that we have had the privilege to arrange the Accrington Food & Drink Festival. We at Scott Dawson Advertising take immense pride in the role we have taken up in keeping the festival going and that we have been able to increase attendance ten-fold since we began organising the event. And, considering the sheer amount of people, we can report that the event went very smoothly

“We are always looking for fun new events and stalls to bring to the festival and this year we were really spoilt for choice. Richard Fox, in his third year at the festival, was fantastic as always, the WW2 re-enactment, the cooking demo from The Balti House, the Accrington Pals bus, the Oops Upside Your Head record attempt and many, many of the other attractions went down brilliantly.

“We are incredibly happy about the positive feedback we have received, stall holders told me after the event that they made more money than they do in larger cities in the UK, and we hope to be involved with this wonderful event for many years to come.”

Live cookery demos in the theatre kitchen, hosted by celebrity chef Richard Fox, wowed the crowds. Over 70 food stalls lined the town centre streets offering everything from Catalonian meatballs and fresh, oven-baked pizza to chilli jam and prosecco cocktails.

97% of all the retailers on the day said that they would come back again, with Asmma Zafar, owner of Tishy’s Cakes summing up her day in one short sentence: “Brilliant! I sold out.”

A dramatic World War 2 re-enactment, to commemorate D-Day, took place on the grounds of St James’ Church, complete with authentic weapons. The battle, which was between American and German troops, drew fantastic crowds as the sounds of the shots booming around the churchyard created a fantastic atmosphere.

The live cookery demonstrations were also a big hit with Chef Fox cooking up North African Shakshuka, a dish consisting of poached eggs in a spicy tomato sauce.

Addressing the crowd, Richard Fox, said: “I can’t believe it’s been three years since the first time I came to Accrington for the food festival. It’s great to see everyone here and it looks like it’s getting bigger every year – so thanks to you all.”

One the largest and most popular attractions of the day was the live demonstration by the wonderful chefs from The Balti House, Rishton, who turned heads as the scent of fresh chicken jalfrezi wafted around the market stalls. Celebrity Chef James Martin once described the food at The Balti House as “one of the best curries I’ve ever had in this country.”

Another of the day’s highlights was the ‘Oops Upside Your Head’ unofficial record attempt which was carried out with great joy in the grounds of St James’ Church. There was also a poignant side to the record attempt as it was dedicated to the late Evonne Harwood – the ‘Wonder Woman of Warner St’ – who was instrumental in organising the record attempt and sadly passed away on April 22. The event was coordinated and the dancing choreographed by George De Rosa from Clubbercise Hyndburn. The event also raised money for East Lancs Hospice.

Culinary students from one of the event’s main sponsors, Accrington and Rossendale College (AccRoss), managed to get a few mouths watering with their gin and tonic sorbet creation while the event’s other main sponsor, Duckworths Estate Agents, were running the hook-a-duck stall to raise money for cancer research.

Mayor of Hyndburn, Peter Britcliffe, said: “It really is a fantastic event which growing from strength to strength every year. There were 14,000 people last year and wouldn’t be surprised if records were broken this time around.”

AccRoss students were also on hand in the market hall as they helped children write their names on sponge Accrington NORI bricks to build into a WW2 style Anderson shelter display.

There was lots of attention for the static tank and the old Accrington Pals bus which was on display – as money was raised to return the old bus to its former glory.

The support for the idea of restoring the last Accrington Corporation bus remaining in the colours of the East Lancashire Regiment was truly overwhelming. The proposal to make the restored bus available to local schools to transport children to local attractions was received with great enthusiasm.

Restored in its original colours the bus will unquestionably stand as a symbol of the civic pride of Accrington – a visual link to the history of the town

For more information and update on the Accrington Food & Drink Festival visit www.accringtonfoodfestival.co.uk/

 

 

 

BUS-TED UP – Join Campaign to save ‘Accrington Pals’ Bus at Food & Drink Festival 2017!

Members of the public will get to voice their views on a campaign to restore a classic ‘Accrington Pals’ bus back to its former glory.

The show-stopping vintage vehicle – a 1974 Leyland Leopard – will be wheeled out for everyone to see at this year’s Accrington Food Festival on Saturday, June 3rd.

It is thought to be one of the last known surviving buses of its type in the world . . . and the only one painted in the original colours of the East Lancashire Regiment.

One of the most poignant stories to emerge from World War 1 is that of the Accrington Pals, officially named the 11th Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment.

In the First Battle of the Somme 720 men from this regiment engaged German forces suffering devastating losses with 638 men listed as killed, missing or wounded.

The colours of the East Lancashire Regiment were blue melton with a red pinstripe and it was in tribute to the regiment that Accrington town’s buses were painted blue and red.

Rather than painting the window frames and mudguard cream, the decision was to use black instead to reflect the mourning of the town for the devastating loss of life.

A modern transport policy has changed the bus fleet – but one bus remains – a 1947 Leyland Leopard.

When it was de-commissioned the bus was restored for show use.

Murray Dawson, Managing Director of Scott Dawson Advertising, whose agency organises the food festival and is supporting the campaign, says: “The bus is in a poor state of repair and requires a complete refurbishment. However, it is simply unthinkable to many people that this visual link with history is lost forever because it represents the proud identity of the town.

“The plan is to restore the bus to a modern safety standard such as fitting modern safety belts and digital touch screens so that it is available to hire for local schools and organisations. “

As part of Murray’s ongoing civic pride initiative to the area, technical colleges have been invited to help with the restoration using students’ skills such as painters, upholsterers, mechanics and electricians.

Once restored the bus would be available to take children from local school to places of historical interest such as Haworth Art Gallery and Stanhill Heritage Trail.

Local groups such as the Accrington Stanley Supporters have also expressed interest in using it when travelling to local fixtures.

Adds Murray: “The bus could be used for events connected with local heritage and civic duties – a visual colour symbol of the bus of the town and an important link to its history.

“Used in this way the bus will be a living example of the transport heritage of the local community and a symbol of civic pride.”

If any members of the public are interested in finding out more about joining the restoration process, the bus will be on display at this year’s Accrington Food Festival on Saturday, June 3rd.

Accrington Food Festival bursting with international flavours!

This weekend’s Accrington Food & Drink Festival will bring flavours from across the world to the heart of the town.

Let your taste buds travel with over 75 stalls of the finest food and drink from France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Mexico, Malaysia, Nigeria, India – and beyond!

The food and drink festival on Saturday 4 June is a FREE ENTRY family event with something to appeal to all tastes and appetites. From Malaysian street food to authentic Italian pizza, savoury Turkish treats to Mexican churros, there’s a wide variety of international flavours on offer – plus local dishes too.

Murray Dawson of East Lancashire based Scott Dawson Advertising, organisers of the Accrington Food & Drink Festival, said:

“I’m an Accrington lad myself and keen for the food and drink festival to be a huge success, as part of our civic pride initiative. We’ve been working hard to top last year’s very successful event, bringing together a food market full of flavour for festival visitors.

Sweet treats will be on offer, including tasty crepes and pancakes

Sweet treats will be on offer, including tasty crepes and pancakes

“Accrington’s 2015 food festival attracted over 10,000 people into the town centre. This year’s event is set to be even bigger and better, and with good weather forecast for the weekend we’re sure plenty of people from across Lancashire will come and join the fun.”

In addition to all the tempting smells and flavours of the food market, there’s a lot more to appeal to all the senses.

Watch the live cookery demonstrations in the theatre kitchen on Broadway. Celebrity chef Richard Fox will host a series of demos throughout the day from local chefs, as well as showcasing two of his own original recipes too.

Younger visitors to the festival can get creative in the Cakelicious children’s cake decorating competition in Accrington Market Hall. Bugs are the theme of this year’s competition, run by tutors and students from the new Roots Restaurant at Accrington & Rossendale College. It’s free to enter and one lucky winner will receive a sweet hamper from Sweet Treat Designs on Water Street.

Children can also get involved in the Dig For Victory seedling planting activity with Incredible Edibles and the Sandy Lane Gardening Group, which is taking place all day in the town centre.

A lively World War 2 re-enactment will take place in St James’ Church grounds at 1pm. It could be the last chance to see re-enactors with their deactivated guns following changes to EU rules regarding deactivated weapons. There’s also the chance to see a classic MkIX Spitfire plane outside the Town Hall, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the RAF’s iconic Battle of Britain fighter’s first flight. Plus, commemorating the Accrington Pals centenary, actors the History Men, dressed as Accrington Pals soldiers, will be out and about in the town all day to add to the wartime flavour.

Oh My! are bringing their Malaysian street food to Accrington Food & Drink festival this weekend

Oh My! are bringing their Malaysian street food to Accrington Food & Drink festival this weekend

And when it’s time to work off some calories, sponsor Simon Jersey’s Ride To Rio bikes will be in the Arndale. As designers of Team GB’s formal outfits for Rio 2016, Simon Jersey has set itself the challenge to pedal the 9,395 kilometres from their offices in Altham to the Brazilian capital. Visitors to the food festival can show their pedal power on the two Ride to Rio exercise bikes.

Free transport to the food festival is available on board a beautifully restored 1968 Leyland Titan double-decker bus from pick-up points in Great Harwood, Rishton, Baxenden, Church, Clayton-le-Moors, Huncoat, Oswaldtwistle, Rawtenstall and Haslingden.

Full details of the event on Saturday 4 June – including how to book a seat on this classic bus – are available at www.accringtonfoodfestival.co.uk. Festival programmes have also been delivered to around 35,000 local homes and 40 schools.

Keep in touch with news from Accrington Food Festival on the event’s Facebook page, or follow @accringtonfood on Twitter and Instagram.