Author: Griff Holliday

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A Joyful Ledbury Celebration!

If you came to the Ledbury Celebration on Sunday 9th July many thanks for coming and supporting the event – we were pleased to see you!

If you were not able to come this is what went on…

The weather was kind for The Ledbury Celebration last Sunday (9th July), Ledbury’s celebration of the local food and drink of Herefordshire and its neighbouring counties with an added menu of music, poetry and our historic heritage on the last day of the Ledbury Poetry Festival.

Held in historic St Katherine’s, Ledbury, the event featured 18 local food and drink producers selling both street-food to enjoy on the spot and specialities to take home.  Trade was good thanks to the support of those who came to the event.  New this year amongst the mix of street-food were “Afghan Pizzas” created by a local Afghan refugee family.

The entertainment “menu” included poets Emma Clowsley and Chloe Jacquet, and several youngsters nurtured by Ledbury Poetry. Beth Calverley’s magical Poetry Machine spent the afternoon creating intimate poems on demand.

The musical menu featured Four Crying Out Loud – Ledbury’s own fisherman’s quartet, George Montague, guitarist and singer/songwriter, The Hey Yahs reviving old classics and The Rohans mixing musical genres.

The Town Mayor of Ledbury, Councillor Helen I’Anson, visited the event and met many of the stall holders.

A raffle of prizes generously donated by local businesses raised £115 for Ledbury Food Bank.

The day was brought to a colourful close by Ledbury Border Morris who demonstrated five traditional dances – and then it rained!

This event was a partnership between Ledbury Food Group, Ledbury Poetry, and Ledbury Town Council.

Please provide us with your feedback at ask@ledburyfoodgroup.org

See pictures from the event below…
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Ledbury Celebration – 9th July – full programme now available

The Ledbury Celebration on Sunday 9th July celebrates the local food and drink of Herefordshire and its neighbouring counties with an added menu of music, poetry and our historic heritage.

Ledbury Celebration

This year’s event brings an outdoor market to historic St Katherine’s, Ledbury next to the 15th century Master’s House and just off the High Street. The event runs from 11am to 4pm with entertainment from midday.

Local produce will be on sale either to eat and drink “on the go” or to take home to savour in slower time.

Producers and street-food specialist this year include:

  • Afghan Pizzas
  • Great Bear Escapes
  • Happy Dumpling
  • Hilltop Farm
  • Kitchen Flowers
  • Kontext Koffee
  • Little Bento Box
  • Little Marcle Organic Produce
  • Miniyaki’s Japanese Street Food
  • Molton Bene Pizza
  • Mr Gyros
  • Myrtle’s Kitchen
  • Orchard Grove Preserves
  • Seb’s Cider
  • Skittery’s Apple Juice
  • Vincenta’s Empanadas
  • Wykeham Gardens

And we hope more!

In addition you will find:

  • Sustainable Ledbury – find out about avoiding food waste
  • Our own stand – ask us about local food
  • Our local Police Support Officer

Buy some food, find a seat and enjoy a special afternoon of entertainment

 Ledbury Poetry has lined up special “al fresco” poetic performances during the event featuring:

  • At 12.45pm – Young local poets take the stand. Encouraged by Ledbury Poetry’s Learning and Inspiration for Young People programme, they will challenge and delight.
  • At 1.45pm – Emma Clowsley presents poems exclusively written for the Ledbury Celebration. Emma is based in Ledbury. Her debut pamphlet “Don’t forget your Toothbrush” has just been published.
  • At 2.45pm – Chloê Jacquet Chloë is a multicultural, multifaceted, multi-slam winning poet based in Gloucestershire,  with a preference for straight talking and a penchant for rhymes and opinions

And

  • Through the afternoon – Beth Calverley, will be present with her magical Poetry Machine. This is your chance to experience poetry, created in response to your thoughts, feelings, ideas, and discoveries. Book your slot with Beth!

And a feast of musical entertainment…

  • At 12pm – Four Crying Out Loud – Ledbury’s own “fishermens” quartet (but far from the sea!) with shanties, sing-alongs and lively folk
  • At 1pm – George Montague, described as a “charismatic and talented pianist and songwriter… daft, charming, original” Worth hearing!
  • At 2pm – The Hey Yahs Trio with an acoustic set of harmony vocals and guitar covers – “music to lunch by“
  • At 3pm – The Rohan five-piece will cover Traditional Folk, Blue Grass and contemporary in their unique way

And to end a special day…

  • At 3.40pm – Ledbury Border Morris will close the event with their unique blend of border county traditional dances

And you can visit Ledbury’s heritage sites – the Church, The Heritage Centre and the Town itself, or book in for a session of poetry at Ledbury Poetry Festival on the last day of the festival. – Programme at https://ledburypoetry.org.uk/home/whats-on/

Can you help us at this event?

We always need help to prepare the site for the event and to take things down when it ends. We also need help with stewarding during the event.  If you can help please ring Griff at 01531 633637 or email ledburycelebration@gmail.com.  You will be valued!

This event is organised by Ledbury Food Group in partnership with Ledbury Poetry and Ledbury Town Council.

     Ledbury Poetry    Ledbury Town Council Logo

Ledbury Poetry is supported by:

Arts Council England

 

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Find out about growing Organic and notice of our AGM

We’ve invited local organic farmer John Davenport to tell us about his experiences as a food grower with 40 years’ experience, following our short AGM on Monday 22nd May at 6pm at the Burgage Hall, Church Lane, Ledbury.

John Davenport

“Why eat Green?  The benefits and challenges of growing organic”

You may know John as the man behind Little Marcle Organic Produce, farming near Ledbury and providing a weekly veg-box service to the local community.

John is an early adopter of sustainable ways of using technology – delivering his produce in a battery powered van and exploring non-carbon power supply options.

John will be happy to take questions after his talk.

Before John’s talk:-

AGM of Ledbury Food Group for the year 2022/23

Notice is given that this meeting will be held at 6pm on Monday 22nd May at the Burgage Hall, Church Lane, Ledbury.

(Nearest off street parking – St Katherine’s Car Park)

  1. Apologies
  2. Report from the Secretary
  3. Report from the Treasurer
  4. Approval of Accounts for the period to 31st March 2023
  5. Election of a Committee for the year 2023 to 2024
  6. Election of Officials for the year 2023 to 2024 – Chair, Secretary, Treasurer
  7. Any other business

Please advise me –

a) If you wish to stand for a committee member or official of Ledbury Food Group. Please note that Committee Members and Officials must be members of the Food Group 

b) If you have Any Other Business that you wish to raise at this meeting

Griff Holliday, Secretary – 01531 633637  

griffholliday@btinternet.com

4th May 2023

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The Big Apple Blossomtime in Putley

The parishes of the Marcle Ridge’s seasonal celebration of orchards, apples, cider and perry takes place on Sunday 30th April and Monday 1st May.

There’s lots of “appley” things for you to join in and celebrate the rather late this year coming of Spring.

Putley Blossom

It’s a special opportunity to enjoy the lovely countryside and orchards of the Marcle Ridge in Herefordshire, where local orchards are famous both for their cider fruit and their dessert and culinary fruit.

The events take place over two days around Putley Parish Hall, where you will find an array of traditional ciders and perries from Herefordshire and surrounding counties, together with some of the makers for you to meet, and, on Sunday only, at Court Farm Aylton, where you can spend time in the cruck barn and amongst the apple trees.

Blossomtime is not just for cider enthusiasts. Enjoy a walk through the orchards around Putley and Aylton, with or without a guide, then refresh yourselves with excellent homemade food. Plan your day to include one or two of our special events, including some at alternative nearby locations.

The full programme is available at https://www.bigapple.org.uk/blossomtime-putley/.

Events centre – Putley Parish Hall – Putley Green – HR8 2QN – Car Parking.

 

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Ledbury Celebration 2023 – A Date for your Diary

Ledbury Food Group with its partners Ledbury Poetry Festival and Ledbury  Town Council invite you to join us at this year’s Ledbury Celebration on Sunday 9th July.

This year’s event will again be held in the historic setting of St Katherine’s, Ledbury by our very special 15th century Master’s House – it worked well in 2022!  The event will include (subject to confirmation):

  • An outdoor food and drink market featuring the best of local produce and street food from the Three Counties for you to enjoy at the event or take home. We hope for as good a show as last time when 25 local vendors took part.
  • “Al fresco” poetic entertainment provided by Ledbury Poetry as part of their festival
  • Outdoor musical entertainment featuring local musicians
  • Several craft stalls

It’s the last day of Ledbury Poetry Festival so there’s lots going on, and the town’s heritage buildings will be open for a visit.

The event will run from 11am to 4pm with entertainment from 12 noon.

As in previous years the Ledbury Celebration will be a free public event thanks to grant funding by benefactors.

If you are a locally based food producer or local street-food vendor using local produce and are interested in a stall at the event please contact our organiser Emma Jackson at ledburycelebration@gmail.com.

Please contact us if you would like to help us setting up, stewarding or setting down after the event – Griff at 01531 633637.   Your help makes these events smooth-running and successful – even an hour or two helps.

More information about the food market, other attendees, performers and the performance schedule will be available on our website nearer the event.

Ledbury Poetry Ledbury Town Council Logo

Alice's market Garden Produce
Alice presents the produce of her Market Garden
Emma the poet
Emma the Poet tells of dangers lurking on the M48

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Full details of the 2023 Ledbury Big Breakfast now available

Join us for Ledbury’s Celebration of Breakfast over the weekend of Friday 27th, Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th January – the 11th Ledbury Big Breakfast

16 local venues in and around Ledbury are taking part on one or more days in this event organised by Ledbury Food Group to celebrate our local food and drink producers and retailers and a healthy breakfast.  The event takes place at cafes, pubs, hotels, butchers and delis in and around Ledbury.

Again there is lots of choice from the lightest to the heaviest breakfast showing the ingenuity of our local food venues – check through the listing below for something to sample, savour and enjoy

Visit our butchers – Gurneys and Wallers – to discover their breakfast delights for you to take home and enjoy. 

Our delis will feature a wide range of local produce to take home to make a special breakfast.

The Country Market at St Katherine’s Hall on Friday will have lots of local produce for sale for your breakfast at home. 

Things get very busy on the Saturday morning – if you see something or somewhere you fancy please book in advance where possible to avoid disappointment.  More places now offer breakfasts on Sunday.

See below for full details of what specials are available, where and when – many venues will also offer their normal breakfast menu.  A number offer vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options.

The full listing of special offerings – what, where and when?

Based on information provided by the participants.  Many will also have their usual breakfast offerings available and will be open during their normal hours.

Cafés, Hotels and Pubs 

Corner House Cafe, 1 The Southend

9.45-16.00 FRI, SAT & SUN        

Phone 01531 635752                  Take-aways.   Bookings

  • Breakfasts of all sizes – we offer seven menu options – with tea, coffee or orange juice for £1 on orders before 11.30
  • Breakfast sandwiches and sub rolls

Produce from: Sessions (sausage/bacon), Bakers Dozen, Waller’s (Meat products), local market

Vegetarian, Gluten Free

 

The Feathers Hotel, 25 High Street

8.30-11.00 SAT only                   

Phone: 01531 635266                

  • Devilled lamb’s kidneys – sour dough crostini
  • Smoked back bacon, flat mushroom and cheddar eggy bread sandwich
  • Vegetarian hash, poached egg, kale salsa verde

Produce from: LDA Meats

Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free

 

Janey’s, 15 The Homend

9.00-15.30 FRI & SAT

Phone: 01531 248008                 Take-aways Call & Collect

  • Full English.
  • Pancakes and Waffles
  • Breakfast baguettes
  • Fruit salad and granola

Produce from: Jenkins Greengrocer

Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free

 

 

Ledbury Rugby Football Club, Ross Road   

9.00-11.00 FRI & SUN                  

Phone: 01531 631788                 Bookings

A choice of options from our special breakfast menu

Check for Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free options

 

Malthouse Café & Gallery, Church Lane

9.30-15.30 FRI & SAT and SUN Morning                   

Phone: 01531 634443                 Take-aways Call & Collect Bookings

  • A range of special breakfasts to sort all tastes from our ever changing menu

Produce from: LDA Meats, Peter Cooks Bread, Ledbury Fine Foods (eggs)

Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free

 

New Market House Café, 1 The Homend

9.30-15.00 FRI, 10.00-15.00 SAT & SUN         

Phone: 01531 635059       Take-aways (preordered) Call & Collect.  Bookings

  • “Vegetarian feast” – Avocado, hash brown, beans, tomato, mushroom, egg, toasted muffin
  • “Local meats feast” – sausage, bacon, black pudding, egg, tomato, mushroom, beans, muffin
  • Plus smaller breakfasts from our menu

Produce from: Gurney’s (meat products), Rob (Ledbury Market)

 Vegetarian Gluten Free

 

The Organic Cafe (Handley Organics), 5 High St

9.00 – 16.00 FRI & SAT    

Phone: 01531 631136                

  • A menu of savoury and sweet organic treats for breakfast, brunch or whatever

Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free

 Note: not opening on Sunday

 

Pot & Page, 8 New Street – plant based specialist cafe

10.00-14.00 FRI, SAT & SUN      

Phone: 01531 248743                 Take-aways Call & Collect.   Bookings

  • The Not Much Room Breakfast – a full breakfast sandwiched between two grilled field mushrooms.

 Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free

 

Weston’s Cider Scrumpy House, HR8 2NQ

9.00 – 11.30 FRI,
1000 – 12.00 SAT & SUN     

Phone: 01531 660626                 Bookings essential

  • Full English with vintage cider sausage
  • Eggs Benedict with cider baked ham

Produce from: Neil Powell Butchers, LDA Meats, Total Produce, Westons Cider

Vegetarian, Gluten Free

 

Seven Stars, 11 The Homend

9.00-11.00 SAT & SUN               

Phone 01531 635800                  Take-aways (Baps only).   Bookings

  • Full English
  • Small full English
  • Sausage or Bacon Bap

Produce from: LDA Meats, Pershore Produce and our own farm

 Vegetarian, Gluten Free

 

The Nest at Little Verzons Farm, Hereford Road, HR8 2PZ

9.00-11.45 FRI, SAT & SUN (for special breakfasts)   

Phone: 01531 670816                 Take-aways Call & Collect.   Bookings

 Eggs Benedict

  • Eggs Florentine
  • Eggs Royale
  • Croque Monsieur.

Breakfast Produce from: Peter Cooks Bread, Bakers Dozen Bread, Filly Brook Farm eggs, Croome Cuisine Cheese, LDA Bacon, Ham, Black pudding & Sausages, Alex Gooch Muffins, Salmon from Severn & Wye Smokery, Netherend Butter, Hedonist croissants.

Local produce available to buy in our shop for your home breakfast

Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free

 

Trumpet Corner Tearooms, Trumpet HR8 2RA

9.00–15.00 FRI, SAT & SUN       

Phone: 01531 670082                           Bookings

  • Full English breakfast
  • Eggs Benedict
  • Smoked salmon & scrambled egg on toasted bagel
  • Brûléed porridge with fresh berries
  • Avocado on toast
  • Italian Shakshuka – Tomato sauce with poached eggs, pesto and sourdough
  • Breakfast toasties and sandwiches

Produce from: Legges of Bromyard, Skittery apple juice, Macneil’s salmon, Baker’s dozen, Country Flavours (eggs), Netherend Butter

 Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free

 

Please support Ledbury

Food Bank as you are able

 

Find out how at:

ledburyfoodbank.org

 

 Delicatessens & Shops

 

Ceci Paolo, 21 High Street

9.0-1700 FRI & SAT                   

Phone 01531 632976

Local breakfast produce including smoked fish, yoghurt, cheeses, bread, honey and our own delicacies.

Local producers products sold include: • Severn and Wye Smokery, Three Counties Honey, Peter Cooks Bread, Charles Martell (cheeses), Neal’s Yard Creamery

Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free

 

Handley Organics, 5 High Street

All day FRI & SAT            

Phone: 01531 631136

Lots of local produce and ingredients to make a tasty breakfast to take home including cereals, eggs, bakery etc.

Organic, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free

 

Butchers

 

Gurneys Family Butchers, 21 The Homend

All day – FRI & SAT

Phone: 01531 632526

Try our special – the Gurney’s Big Breakfast sausage – for your breakfast.

Lots of other locally produced breakfast ingredients for you

 

David T Waller and Sons, 71 The Homend

All day – FRI & SAT          

Phone 01531 632739

The “Full Monty” is back – our special breakfast treat – pork sausage with tomato, black pudding, mushroom, hash brown, beans all wrapped in bacon

Locally produced ingredients to complete your breakfast

Country Market

Burgage Hall, Church Lane

9.00 – 12.30 FRI only

Local produce for you to take home for a special breakfast (or other meal!)

 

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A Happy New Year … And the Ledbury Big Breakfast 2023

Our popular event – the Ledbury Big Breakfast takes place this year on Friday 27th, Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th January.  

We ask local shops, cafes, hotels and other food outlets to come up with special breakfast offerings featuring locally produced food to brighten a winter’s day.

Breakfasts can be big or small, traditional or invented to be enjoyed in our local eating places or taken home for enjoyment.  Many outlets will provide vegan, vegetable and gluten free options – please check.

Full details of those taking part, their special offerings and which days these will be on sale will be available on this website  from mid-January.

These will include “old favourites” such as the Malthouse Cafe, Market House Café, Organic Café, Seven Stars, the Nest, Wallers and Gurneys butchers’ shops, Ceci Paolo, Pot and Page, Janey’s and the Scrumpy House at Weston’s Cider.  Ledbury Country Market will be open on Friday.

In the past things have been busy particularly on the Saturday – many venues will take reservations to make things easier.  Some are open on the Sunday.

Put a note in your diary to enjoy a scrumptious Ledbury breakfast!

© Ledbury Food Group 2014-26