Foodies flock to Blaenavon food festival (From Free Press Series)

Foodies flock to Blaenavon food festival

8:40pm Tuesday 31st January 2012 in News

MORE than 700 people visited the second Love Food Festival in Blaenavon over the weekend.

The two-day event, held at the town’s Big Pit, showcased local food, drink and textiles.

Nine stall-holders, including Blaenavon-based Rhymney Brewery and Blaenafon Cheddar Company, were among the local producers to attend the festival.

A spokeswoman for Blaenavon Big Pit National Mining Museum said: “It’s been well supported by local people with between 700 and 800 people coming to visit the festival and also the museum, from as far as Somerset and Bridgend.”

Trader Pam Killick, of Pontypool-based ChocsAway, which offers chocolate-making workshops at parties, said the festival gives local traders the chance to introduce their products to visitors.

Mary Mahabir, who runs the Blaenavon Heritage Railway tearoom, was there to promote events at the railway and sell her home-made fudge and jams. She said: “The atmosphere has been fantastic.”

Visitor Wendy Adams, of Swffryd, attended the festival last year. “It’s nice to support local producers and sample the food and drink. My grandchildren enjoyed the museum so it’s been a great day out,”

she said.

Plans are already under way for next year’s festival.