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Another Date for your Diary – Ledbury Celebration 2022

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 10th 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 2019!  The event will include:

  • 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
  • “Al fresco” poetic entertainment provided by the Ledbury Poetry Festival
  • Outdoor musical entertainment featuring local musicians
  • Kids Kitchen, Cup Ceramics and a number of craft stalls

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

The event will run from 11am to 5pm with entertainment from 12 noon.

As in previous years the Ledbury Celebration will be a free public event.  The event has received funding from the Herefordshire Council Festivals and Events Discretionary Grant. This grant scheme supported events impacted by Covid-19 and was funded by the Additional Restrictions Grant provided by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

If you are a locally based food producer using local produce and are interested in a stall at the event please contact our organiser Hannah Day at hannah@hannahday.co.uk.

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

More information about the food market and the performance schedule will be available on this Food Group website nearer the event.

  

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Full details of the 2022 Ledbury Big Breakfast now available

Join us for Ledbury’s Celebration of Breakfast over the weekend of Friday 11th, Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th March – the 10th Ledbury Big Breakfast (postponed from January). 

19 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.

Ledbury Refugee Support are again holding a special Middle Eastern themed breakfast at The Organic Café (above Handley Organics) on the Saturday to raise funds. 

The Country Market at Burgage 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

  • English Breakfasts of all sizes –full, mini, non-meat, hard-worker’s, apprentice’s
  • Free tea, coffee or juice before 11 .30

Produce from: Willow Bromyard (eggs), Sessions (sausage/bacon), Bakers Dozen, Waller’s (Meat products)

Vegetarian, Gluten Free

The Feathers Hotel, 25 High Street

8.00-11.00 SAT only                   

Phone: 01531 635266                  Bookings

  • Hot smoked salmon with spinach omelette and cream cheese
  • Bacon meatball with white pudding and bine tomato baguette and mushroom ketchup
  • Rarebit, glazed muffin and fried egg.

Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free

Janey’s, 15 The Homend

9.00-13.30 FRI & SAT

Phone: 01531 248008                 Take-aways Call & Collect

  • Full English.
  • Savoury and Sweet Breakfast Waffles
  • Granola/cereal station with yogurt and fresh fruit.

Produce from: Bakers Dozen (Bread etc.), Jenkins Greengrocer

Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free

The Ledberry, 36 The Homend

9.00-12.00 SAT & SUN

Phone: 01531 632676                 Call & Collect  Bookings

  • Waller’s Bacon and Sausage baps
  • Smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels
  • Ham and smashed avocado bagels
  • Overnight oat pots with fruit compote

Produce from: Waller’s (meat products), Bakers Dozen, Hedonist Bakery, Jenkins Greengrocer

Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free

Ledbury Rugby Football Club, Ross Road   

9.00-11.00 FRI & SUN                  

Phone: 01531 631788                 Take-aways Bookings

  • Full English
  • Breakfast Baps
  • Freshly made Omelettes
  • Freshly made Pancakes

Produce from: Gurneys Family Butchers

Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free

Malthouse Café & Gallery, Church Lane

9.30-15.30 FRI & SAT,               

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, Mays (eggs)

Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free

Market House Café, 1 The Homend

9.00-15.00 FRI & SAT, 10.00-14.00 SUN         

Phone: 01531 633011                 Take-aways Call & Collect Bookings

  • “Breakfast Nest” – crispy bacon, Sunnyside egg, melted cheese nestled in hollowed out baked potato with chives
  • “Café Pancake Platter” – pancakes, maple syrup, berries, bacon, scrambled egg, chocolate chips, fresh cream

Produce from: Waller’s (meat products), Baker’s Dozen, Jenkins Greengrocer, Total Produce (fruit & vegetables), plus local eggs

 Gluten Free

The Organic Cafe (Handley Organics), 5 High St

9.00 – 13.00 FRI & SAT (last orders)               

Phone: 01531 631136                 Booking advised for Saturday

  • Friday only – Mixed roast vegetables (made in house) on toast (bread made for us by la Delice) with dressing (made in house)
  • Saturday only – Specially inspired menu supporting Ledbury Refugee Support Group – Falafel wrap and dips (both made in house).

Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free

Pot & Page, 8 New Street – vegan specialist cafe

10.00-15.00 FRI, SAT & SUN      

Phone: 01531 248743                 Bookings

  • Loaded rosti stack with a savoury compote.

 Produce from: Tuston Market Garden (Ashperton)

Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free

Pot and Page are also running a tea tasting event featuring British grown teas on Friday 11th March evening – find out more at https://potandpageevents.square.site/events

Weston’s Cider Scrumpy House, HR8 2NQ

9.00 – 12.00 FRI, 10.00-12.00 SAT & SUN      

Phone: 01531 660626                 Take-aways (1 Hr notice) Bookings advised

  • Full English with vintage cider sausage
  • Vegan Breakfast Hash – Potato, peppers, mushroom, roast tomato on toasted sourdough
  • Eggs Benedict with cider baked ham

Produce from: Neil Powell (cider sausage) LDA Meats, Country Flavours (eggs), Total Produce (vegetables), St George’s Bakery (Corse)

Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free (on request)

Seven Stars, 11 The Homend

9.00-11.00 SAT & SUN               

Phone 01531 635800                  Take-aways + Call & Collect (Baps only) Bookings

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

Produce from: LDA Meats

 Vegetarian, Gluten Free

Sunrise Café, 23 High Street

9.00-12.00 SUN only                  

Phone 01531 634111                  Take-aways Call and Collect.  Bookings

  • Our full English breakfast with a free drink.

Produce from: Gurneys Family Butchers, Total Produce

Vegetarian, Gluten Free

The Nest, Hereford Road, HR8 2PZ

10.00-13.00 FRI, SAT & SUN (last bookings for special breakfasts 12.30)

Phone: 01531 670816                 Call & Collect (1 Hr notice) Limited Bookings. 

  • Benedict Stack – eggs benedict with pesto, prosciutto and hollandaise
  • Little Verzons Breakfast Roll – Ploughman’s Scotch Egg Mix (or Veggie option with Beanie HMSE Mix or Vegan Option with Negg HMSE Mix as a pattie) accompanied with  Willys Kitchen balsamic, Nest onion marmalade dressing and a fried egg (Veggie and Meat) 
  • Homemade baked beans on toast – Vegan and GF
  • Banana and Carrot muffins – Vegan
  • Sweet and Spicy BC – A Chorizo, sausage and marmalade casserole – using Severn Spots chorizo and homemade marmalade with bread – Veggie option available.

Produce from: Willys (Balsamic), Severn Spots (Chorizo), Burger mix from HMSE, Nest Marmalade, Local Eggs from Filly Brook (Bishops Frome), Peter Cooks Muffins, Bakers Dozen Muffins, LDA – Meat, Netherend Butter, Nest Pesto, Cotteswold Dairy, Nest Coffee, Trumpers Tea

Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free

The Talbot, 14 New Street

8.00-10.00 FRI, SAT & SUN        

Phone: 01531 632963                           Bookings

  • Severn & Wye smoked salmon and eggs
  • Full English breakfast
  • Full Veggie Breakfast
  • Eggs on toast “your way”
  • Bacon or Sausage sandwiches

Produce from Severn and Wye Smokery, Walter Rose Wiltshire Sausages

Vegetarian, Gluten Free

Trumpet Corner Cafe, Trumpet HR8 2RA

9.00–14.00 FRI, SAT & SUN       

Phone: 01531 670082                           Take-aways Call & Collect Bookings

  • Full English breakfast
  • Full Veggie breakfast
  • Smoked salmon & scrambled egg on toasted bagel
  • Brûléed porridge with fresh berries
  • Fresh pastries

Produce from: Legges of Bromyard, Jus apple juice, Macneil’s salmon, Berries Unlocked (Munsley)

 Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free

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, croissants, bread etc.

Organic, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free

Butchers

Gurneys Family Butchers, 21 The Homend

All day – FRI & SAT

Phone: 01531 632526

Try our new recipe sausage – the Gurney’s Banger – as part of your breakfast.

David T Waller and Sons, 71 The Homend

All day – FRI & SAT          

Phone 01531 632739

Taste and take home our special breakfast sausage. Tastings 9.00 to 12.00

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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Eat Like Your Ancestors and 2021 Great Taste Award winners!

Eat like your ancestors

Liz Pearson Mann has written a book “Eat Like Your Ancestors” – a sustainable food journey round the West Midlands.

She will be setting up a display about her book in the lobby at Ledbury Heritage Centre this Saturday 30 October.

Eat Like your Ancestors

 
Liz will be there to tell you more about how the past can show the way for the future.

Date: Saturday 30th October

Place: Ledbury Heritage Centre, Church Lane, Ledbury

Time: 10.30 to 16.00

  

Great Taste Award winners

Congratulations to these local food and drink producers who have won awards in the 2021 Great Taste Awards:

 

Willy’s Ltd of Little Marcle for their Apple Balsamic vinegar – 3 stars

Gun Dog Gin for both their Damson and Quince Liqueurs – both 3 stars

Berry’s of the Hop Pocket – formerly Just Rachel Ice Creams – for their Damson and Sloe Gin and their Dark Chocolate Orange ice creams – both 2 stars

Weston’s Cider of Much Marcle – one star awards for Henry Weston Organic, Henry Weston Vintage and Stowford Press Low Alcohol ciders

Friday Beer Co. of Malvern – one star for their Holly Bush Ale

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Hops and a Farmers’ Market…

Look out for two local food events in the next few weeks:

“The Scratch of the Hop”

Ledbury Places host an illustrated talk by local author Marsha O’Mahony. Marsha traces the story of hop-farming in Herefordshire, Worcestershire & Shropshire through local archives, interviews and a wealth of unseen photographs.

Date: Thursday 28th October 2021

Time: 6.30pm

Place: The Upper Floor, The Old Grammar School, Church Lane, Ledbury HR8 1DW

Tickets: £7.00 (to include a glass of real ale or soft drink)

Available from: www.courtyard.org.uk.

Hellens Farmers’ Market

Following a successful “try-out” in August, Hellens Manor at Much Marcle hosts another market on Saturday 6th November. This is the successor to the award winning Kempley Market which closed in 2020. Many faces from the old market will be there to tempt you with their local produce – and some new ones as well!

Date: Saturday 6th November 2021
Time: 9.30 to 11.30am
Place: Hellens Manor, Much Marcle, HR8 2LY

On this occasion there will also be a special display of carriages, with experts from the Carriage Foundation on hand to answer your questions.
…and they are selling bacon sandwiches!

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Recipes for September

Venison and Apple Casserole

1lb./ 450g. cubed venison, dusted in flour
2 tbsps. oil
8ozs. / 225g. shallots, peeled
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed
8ozs. / 225g. diced bacon
2 carrots, peeled and chopped and 2 leeks, chopped
small tin chopped tomatoes
3 tbsps. brandy
3/4 pt. / 15fl. ozs. good beef stock
desert spoon tomato puree
1 desert spoon juniper berries
2 – 3 Bramley or Cox’s Orange Pippins cut into chunks
Pepper and salt to taste

Heat the oil in a pan and fry the venison until well browned, remove to a plate. Add diced bacon to the pan along with the shallots and garlic. Crush the juniper berries just enough to release their flavour and add to the pan.

Return the venison to the pan, add the vegetables, tomato puree, tin of tomatoes, stock and brandy. Bring to a gentle simmer, put on a lid and cook for 1 1/2 hours. Add the apples to the pan and simmer for a further 30 minutes. If the sauce needs thickening mix some cornflour with cold water and add, stirring all the time. You could cook this in the oven on a low heat if you would prefer to do so.

Fresh Plum Cake

225g. / 8ozs. self raising flour
1 tsp. gd. cinnamon
100g. / 4ozs. hard margarine or butter
50g. / 2ozs. sultanas
50g. / 2ozs. soft brown sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
2 large eggs
4 tbsps. golden syrup
225. / 8ozs. plum, stoned and chopped

Preheat oven to 160 / Gas Mark 3.

Grease and line an 8 inch square baking tin. Rub the flour, half the cinnamon and the margarine together. Add the sultanas and 50g. / 2ozs. soft brown sugar and stir. Beat eggs and syrup together in a separate bowl, add plums, then stir into the flour mixture.

Transfer to tin and level surface. Mix the rest of the brown sugar and the cinnamon and sprinkle over the top of the cake. Cook in the centre of the oven for 45 – 50 minutes and then test. It should be risen and just firm to the touch.

Cut into squares to eat. This is best eaten warm with ice cream though you can eat it cold. It works just as well with apples and rhubarb.

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Food Group celebrates Ledbury’s Food Heritage

As part of Ledbury’s contribution to this year’s Heritage Open Days, we are joining with Ledbury Town Council to celebrate the long heritage of local food production.

We are mounting a photo exhibition at the Market House when it is open to the public for Heritage Open Days.  The photos will reflect on local food production today at three farms in the Ledbury district. 

The exhibition is on 14th and 15th September.

Growing food has been a vitally important feature of Ledbury’s life for 900 years – for 400 years the Market House has been a centre for trade in local food.

This exhibition picks up the Heritage Open Day theme of “Edible England” and reminds us that local food production remains just as important today.  It visits three local farms – a sheep farm, a vegetable grower and an orcharding farm.  The photos show different seasons in the farming year.

The photos are the work of local photographers Pat Strauss and Ed Mustafic and previously featured in our exhibitions at The Master’s House, Ledbury.

Place: The Market House, High Street, Ledbury

When: Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th September

Times: 1100-1300 & 1400-1600

Make it a day visiting heritage buildings in Ledbury – and visiting one of our cafes for lunch!  Find details of heritage sites at:

https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting

or

https://www.visitherefordshire.co.uk/see-do/city-towns/ledbury

 

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When is local not local?

When it’s a jam!

Do you know how easy it is to create your own label jam?

What are you going to call it?

On sale locally recently was jam labelled “Ledbury Fine Foods” and “Great British Classics” complete with Union Jack.

Where do you think this was made?

Perhaps in Ledbury or its neighbourhood?

The answer is that the jam had in fact been made in Leicestershire by Bramble Foods.

We looked up Bramble Foods Ltd on the web. They are a well-established business in Market Harborough supplying a wide range of food products.

One of their services is providing personalised or own label products.

We have no problem with what Bramble Foods are doing – and there is nothing wrong with the quality of their jam.

But it is possible that product labelling may create a wrong impression in the eyes of the customer.

So…Beware! Remember when “buying local” to check the label if you don’t know the product.