nourish team The organisers of one of Beccles’ biggest days out are celebrating the success of this year’s event, held on Saturday 14 August.
Blue skies and warm sunshine greeted visitors to Beccles Food and Drink Festival on Saturday. After being postponed twice due to the pandemic, the popular event, now in its sixth year, was able to go ahead after the final easing of government restrictions in July.
Over 50 artisan food and drink stalls attended the Festival around Sheepgate, New Market and in and around St Michael’s Church, showcasing the best of East Anglian produce. Many were returning traders who had not been able to attend similar events since 2019, while for some the event was their first.
A wide range of alcohol included craft beer from local breweries Tindall, Redwell, and Ampersand, while a diverse range of food included macarons, cured meats, gelato, sauces, and preserves.
The mouth-watering smell of hot street food, including wood fired pizza, venison, and hog roasts, while Thai cuisine, Porchetta, and jumbo hot dogs proved very popular.
A new feature of seating placed among the planters in New Market gave visitors the chance to relax and enjoy their purchases. Throughout the day Yanny Mac, the town’s unofficial Town Crier, kept visitors apprised with his entertaining announcements, while the ever-popular Punch and Judy shows attracted large audiences, both young and old, to St Michael’s church yard.
Another first this year was the Mayor’s Award for the Best Stall Appearance, awarded by Cllr Richard Stubbings to Clinks Care Farm for their outstanding display of fruit and vegetables.
Many of the businesses around the Festival area benefitted from extra footfall, and a steady flow of visitors to the town centre lasted until the event’s finish at 4 p.m.
The date for next year’s Festival has already been set as Saturday 28 May, at the start of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee week of celebration.
Visit www.becclesfoodfestival.co.uk to find out more or e-mail info@becclesfoodfestival.co.uk.
You can find Beccles Food and Drink Festival on Facebook (@becclesfoodanddrinkfestival) and Twitter (@BecclesFoodFest).
Photo credit Charlotte James Photography
