THE CROWDS flocked to the annual Droitwich Spa Food and Drink Festival which, held amidst the weekend’s heatwave, was bathed in June sunshine throughout the day.
The event, officially opened by TV chef Brian Turner, was held in the Lido Park for the first time as works to revamp Droitwich High Street meant the town centre was unable to accommodate it.
It boasted more than 100 food and drink stalls and cookery demonstrations by Brian Turner and local chefs, live entertainment in the park’s bandstand, along with children’s activities, sponsored by town estate agent Nicol and Co.
The winners of the Bake Off Competition for both children and adults and a Best Sausage contest were announced.
And there was Tennis in the Park organised by ‘Leave a Lido Park Legacy’ is the campaign started by local mum Elaine Ball to get the tennis courts in the Lido Park resurfaced.
Droitwich Salted Fudge, the first product in 100 years to use the town’s brine supply, was officially launched at the event and the product sold out in just over two hours.
The Standard reported in Friday’s paper about Wychbold Fudge owner Justin Bowen’s wife Helga’s cancer diagnosis which had put the launch in jeopardy. But, thanks to the local community pulling together and offering a helping hand, the fudge was produced and packed on time.
Justin said: “Everyone has been superb and we can’t believe how quickly it sold out.
“We have told those who missed out today that we would be offering free delivery of the fudge in the next week for those who placed orders.”
Joanne Gray, who attended the event with her husband Jamie, said they came every year and liked it being held at the Lido Park.
Her thoughts were echoed by Peter Pedrick from Worcester-based The Champagne Collection which was exhibiting for the first time.
He said: “There is a natural way for people to walk around which means they visit all of the stalls and the number of people who are here is fantastic.”
And he said the fact it was such a hot day, the park’s outdoor pool probably also brought in extra visitors.
“We’ll definitely be back next year,” he added.
Georgia Knight, from Stynan Family Produce which regularly attends the Worcestershire Farmers’ Markets selling fruit and veg, said: “The reaction we have had has been pretty good.
“We have also been able to raise awareness of the monthly Farmers’ Markets as quite a few people said they did not know they took place or when.”
Rod Spollen from the Chateau Impney Hill Climb was at the food festival promoting the annual motoring event which is now in its third year and returns to the historic hotel on July 8 and 9.
“We have had quite a lot of interest today.
“Out tickets are already up on this time last year when 14,000 people attended over the weekend.”
And we’ve got a few extra exciting activities this year, including a climbing wall for children, a sports village and a Lancaster Bomber fly-by.
“It’s looking good.”
Food Festival organiser Patrick Davis said: “It went incredibly well and we have already had a lot of positive feedback.
“People seemed to like it being held in the Lido Park because of the atmosphere it created and chef Brian Turner went down well.
“The children’s area was very popular and of course it helped having the weather on our side.”
He added once all the feedback was in he would be meeting with Wychavon to discuss how it went.
