It’s over for another year and we thank the hundreds of people who came to the 18th Aylsham Food Festival and all the traders who contributed as well as the entertainers who made the weekend so special.
Nearly 100 guests were greeted by violinist Bertie Anderson-Hoggart as they arrived for the Festival Dinner at Aylsham High School.
On the menu was Venison plait with cranberry jus or beetroot & caramelised onion pastry galette followed by a trio dessert platter and local cheeses and homemade cheese biscuits – all prepared, cooked and served by the students.
For entertainment, students Phoebe Smith (year 11) and Sophia Millington (yr10) sang some popular songs. However, Sophia suffered a sudden cough attack and was forced to leave the stage as Sophia bravely sang on – but made a storming comeback for the next song to rapturous applause.
Glorious sunshine welcomed visitors to the Saturday Market where Bertie again played her fiddle as shoppers mingled with the stallholders and vendors offering a wide selection of food, drink and crafts inside the Town Hall.
Bertie was joined by Dan, the balloon modeller who entertained the children with his balloons twisted into animal shapes, and later, by busker Ervin Munir on guitar.
And it was a full house at the Sunday Big Slow Brunch in the Town Hall as more than 100 people from far and wide enjoyed the full English or Continental spread provided by Slow Food members.
None of this would have been possible without the support and contribution by the people of Aylsham.
So here’s to 2025 – our 20th anniversary. See you then – if not before.
From the top: Festival Dinner guests at the High School; Shoppers browse around the Saturday Market; Dan the balloon modeller entertains the children; The Brunch Bunch – the Slow Food team responsible for the event.
Slow Food would like to thank the following for their contribution:
Catering champions
Jane Elwes; Stephen Bridgeman; Liz Brundall; Alistair Bradshaw (15th Festival);
Karen Harris (13th Slow Food Festival); Lauren Goodyear;
Tom Watson (final Slow Food) Class of 2022, helped every year since leaving AHS;
Emily Daniels (Class of ’23) Second Slow food since leaving AHS;
Beth Wedge-Clarke (Class of ’23) Second Slow food since leaving AHS;
Beth Abigail (Class of ’24).
Food producers and suppliers
Aylsham High School – ICE Department – Papillion Project
(for table decorations and fresh school-grown produce)
Fresh Approach, Aylsham
The Cheese Truckle
Suzie Hebditch – Table linen
David Ward – Norfolk Deer Management
Norfolk Coffee Company, Salle
Raffle Prizes
Fruit Basket – Richard & Mo Anderson-Dungar
Meal Voucher – The Banningham Crown
Microdermabrasion Facial – Visage Beauty Clinic
Chocolates – Carousel
Meat Voucher – Whites Butchers
Garden Voucher – Woodgate Nursery
Russell Hobbs 3-Tier Vegetable Steamer – J B Postles
Music
Bertie Anderson-Hoggart on the violin
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