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“Food” – A Book Group

Food is something we are all interested in. But how does it get to our table? Ledbury Food Group introduces its new Book Group on Thursday 17th January at 7pm. It’s an opportunity for us to “chew the cud” over some of the themes of current books relating to our food, finding out about the joys and challenges farmers face and the history of production. Books such as “The Secret Life of Cows”, forwarded by Alan Bennett, which appeared last year are full of discussion topics. The author Rosamund Young came to Ledbury in March to talk about it. Her introduction explores traditional and commercial farming and the book features hilarious anecdotes about her experiences rearing cows.

“Pig” is the new book on the block. Written by Helen Browning, pig farmer and chief executive of the Soil Association, “Pig” is the first book I would like to introduce the Food-Book Group to. Helen has been invited to Ledbury in April to talk about her farming experiences, and undoubtedly sustainable farming and food production as well. Continue reading ““Food” – A Book Group”

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A date for your 2019 Diary – the 7th Ledbury Big Breakfast

Full English breakfast , by permission of Juliette Ainsworth

For 2019 the Big Breakfast creeps into February running between Friday 1st February and Sunday 3rd February.

Again food shops, butchers, cafes, and hotels in and around Ledbury will be offering all kinds of treats to celebrate that most important of meals – breakfast featuring good locally produced food and drink.

Ledbury Food Group has asked those taking part to put on something different featuring local produce as well as their normal offerings, and we are expecting a wide range of breakfasts from the lightest breakfast to the heartiest, catering for all tastes. Look out for vegetarian, and vegan offerings too. Continue reading “A date for your 2019 Diary – the 7th Ledbury Big Breakfast”

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Big Apple Harvestime celebrations 13th and 14th October 2018 In and Around Much Marcle

Herefordshire has plenty of reasons to celebrate English apples, orchards and cider and the annual Big Apple weekend offers a special opportunity to enjoy the autumn countryside on the Marcle Ridge. The event is based on eight venues in and around Much Marcle – and cider and perry making will be in full swing! There will be plenty of opportunities to taste, buy and, in some cases, to try your hand. The Big Apple is not only about cider – a ‘Feast of Apples’ at Hellens will feature displays, tastings and sales of some of the less usual dessert and culinary apples, and Marcher Apple Network will be identifying apples throughout the weekend. Herefordshire Beekeepers Association pay a return visit with their Annual Honey Show. Continue reading “Big Apple Harvestime celebrations 13th and 14th October 2018 In and Around Much Marcle”

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“Feast and Make Merry” The Traditional Harvest Supper

At this time of year, farms and villages throughout Britain are celebrating the Harvest “safely gathered in”. Traditionally, this was an opportunity for farmers, farm labourers and their families to get together at the end of the harvest, loading the tables with abundant produce, washing it down with home made beer and cider and making merry with music and dancing. You probably recognise such scenes from Thomas Hardy novels.

Here in Herefordshire the tradition continues in villages around the county, often associated with a Church harvest service. But, it is not so often that town and city dwellers get the opportunity to join in such a farm celebration. Continue reading ““Feast and Make Merry” The Traditional Harvest Supper”

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Ledbury sizzles with local food, drink, poetry, music, dance and heritage

Gerry from Friday Beer photo by Griff Holliday

Ledbury marked the last day of the Ledbury Poetry Festival on Sunday 8th July with a special sizzling and very well attended High Street festival.

Locals and visitors joined in the hot summer sun to enjoy a street market of local food and drink supplied by 30 local producers and organised by Ledbury Food Group celebrating our unique local food offerings. Al fresco eating was on offer but with the hot sun many favoured the shade areas provided by the Nest and Dragon Orchard. The local ice cream was especially popular, and other stall holders sold out. Continue reading “Ledbury sizzles with local food, drink, poetry, music, dance and heritage”

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Ledbury ready to celebrate Ledbury Celebration

Ledbury’s annual “town party” – the Ledbury Celebration – takes to Ledbury High Street again on Sunday 8th July.

Over 30 food and drink stalls featuring the very best in local food will fill the street with great offerings to eat there and then or to take home for a later treat. This year we are pleased to welcome a number of winners of Great Taste of Britain awards as well as Old Granary Pierogi, BBC Food and Farming Awards 2018 Street Food Finalists.

Eat and drink while enjoying a menu of entertainment compered by comedy poet Rob Barratt featuring poets Kurly McGeachie (“hip hop Shakespeare”) and Nico Reznick, plus music from the Ludlow Jazz Collective and SassCappella singing group.

Continue reading “Ledbury ready to celebrate Ledbury Celebration”

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Build a Bug Hotel on Community Day Tomorrow

Tomorrow, Saturday 9 June, is Ledbury Community Day – your opportunity to find out about local groups and clubs, and talk to the people involved in them.

Meet Ledbury Food Group at the Master’s House between 10am-2pm. It is the final day of our photography exhibition “A Fruit Farming Year – Nature and Nuture” (the exhibition can be viewed until 4pm). For playful children and adults, Chrissy Bentley from Castle Fruit Farm is running a “Build a Bug Hotel” free drop-in session between 10.30am and 1 pm. Continue reading “Build a Bug Hotel on Community Day Tomorrow”