PRESS RELEASE: The Great Welsh Leek Relay from North to South Wales in 3 days

Wales’ unique version of the infamous Olympic torch relay, the Great Welsh Leek relay will start later this month on the 29^th September 2010.

 The ‘Olympic’ Leek will be run, cycled and swam the length of Wales to open the first ever alternative food festival – FEASTIVAL, taking place in Bridgend town centre on 1^st and 2^nd October. Three top athletes from Bridgend will be starting the epic three day relay in a field in Flintshire, North Wales. The leek will be plucked from the ground and then transported 230 miles on a route through some of Wales’ spectacular countryside.

As well as the grand arrival in Bridgend to open the food festival, the journey of the leek will be highlighting the issue of food miles whilst raising money for Children in Need.

Steve Brace, double Olympian, Alan Kerr, former world triathlon Gold medallist, and Jon Embling with 47 Marathons under his belt have agreed to take on the challenge and carry the leek by hand and bike across land and water

“We’re expecting to take three days to complete this challenge before we arrive home in Bridgend but we’re all really looking forward to it” said former Olympian and British champion Steve Brace “It’s a bit of a unique event for us and hopefully others will join us en route or turn out to cheer us on”

Richard Arnold from Really Welsh Trading Company said “For decades Welsh shops were full of leeks grown anywhere but Wales. In 2005 we stated to put that right, developing a farm in North Wales that now produces up to 85 tons of Really Welsh leeks a week from July to May, and we think that by running some of our National Vegetables the length of the land, while raising some money for a great cause like 4 year old Finlay Brunt from Bridgend who is in desperate need of a life changing operation is a great way to celebrate Welsh National Leek week which runs from 1^st to 7^th October each year”. 

Feastival, Wales’ alternative food festival will open on the 1^st October with the arrival of the leek. This will mark the start of a new two day event in the Welsh food calendar that promises to be a little bit different to the norm. some of the most unique features include egg dropping, leek lobbing, melon sculpting and an unusual food art centrepiece in the from of a giant 10ft cauliflower sheep. As well as the traditional food hall and market stalls, there will be cookery demos, an urban allotment, food cinema and the grub-hub tent designed just for little foodies.

To follow the route of the leek relay visit our blog via www.walesalternativefoodfestival.com and follow us on twitter @ www.twitter.com/followtheleek

Ends.

Notes for Editors :-

This project has received funding through the Rural Development Fund for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

The Olympic Leek Relay is being sponsored by the Really Welsh Trading Company.  Feastival is sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government, Capital Region Tourism, Bridgend County Borough Council, Reach, Bridgend Festivals, Puffin Produce Ltd., Altern8media, The Really Welsh Food Company & May Gurney.

Feastvial will take place on the 1^st & 2^nd October 2010.

For more information call 01656 815225 or visit www.walesalternativefoodfestival.com

For more information regarding Finlay Brunt www.fixfinlayfund.org.uk