Feastival returns for 2011
Following the success of our first ever Feastival in October, we’ve been inundated with loads of people and businesses asking if we’re doing another one. Well, it was never in doubt of course, but we’re happy to confirm as expected that Feastival (Wales’ Alternative Food Festival) 2011 will return to Bridgend Town centre on Friday 30th September and Saturday 1st October 2011 and will probably be even more ’alternative’ than before. In 2010 Feastival entertained no fewer than 35,000 people over the two days and that was despite the appalling weather on the Friday – ‘we had never seen rain like it in Wales before’ - even the Ryder Cup was rained off. Like Feastival, the weather is always unpredictable in the UK and the Saturday was like a Summer’s day!
Calling all runners in Bridgend
The Great Welsh Leek Relay will be starting at 8.30am tomorrow morning from Buckley in Flintshire. The leek after travelling 230 miles over land and lake will be arriving in Bridgend town centre at approx 12.00pm on Friday 1st October to open Feastival. Anyone wanting to take part in the last mile or so of the run, you’ll be most welcome.
We will be stopping just outside of Bridgend to allow runners to congregate and run the final stretch to Tesco in town. At Tesco there will be another pick up point for people who wish to take part but do not want to run the final mile! If you don’t fancy running then perhaps you would like to take part in the welcoming committee on Adare St at 12pm. Please come out and support the arrival of the leek and help us raise funds for Finlay Brunt via the fixfinlay fund. There will also be an update board in Bridgend indoor market charting our progress!
Fruit carving spectacle at this year’s Feastival
David at work on a giant pumpkin in Southampton in 2009
In the spirit of the alternative approach to our food festival, we’re delighted that we have managed to book one of the UKs most talented food carvers in the form of David Loh, aka the Melon Man, to demonstrate at this year’s Feastival. You may have seen David earlier this year on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent but he is quickly becoming a popular attraction at shows and events throughout the UK and abroad.
“I can carve fruits and vegetables such as pumpkin, all kinds of melons (honeydew, cantaloupe), carrots, butternut squash and even suede. But for best results, it has to be watermelons and carrots. When it comes to watermelons, I prefer the dark green melons, as the contrast highlights the detail” said David who will be visiting this part of South Wales for the first time.
When asked how many melons he can carve in a day, David responded “It all depends on what design, the more complicated design the more hours I need to finish it but I will probably carve 10 melons in a day at Feastival with all waste being recycled of course.” said David “ But if anyone wants to bring some fruit along for me to carve quickly, they’ll be very welcome!
In the interests of reducing food waste, David has urged anyone not to discard of fruit and veg that maybe passed its sell-by date but to bring it along to Feastival to be carved into something special and later composted.
The Melon Man will be appearing throughout Bridgend Town centre and in the Grub Hub tent during Feastival, Wales Alternative Food festival on 1st and 2nd October 2010.
Are you twisting my Melon Man?
Those of you who remember this line from the 80s, may be interested in Melons? If you are, then Feastival will be hosting the outstanding talent of David Loh, better knows as the Melon Man. David has worked the world over but is not yet that well known in Britain, despite amazing the audience in Britains Got Talent earlier this year with his speed carving. He’ll be doing this is Bridgend town centre on 1st and 2nd October, so don’t miss this rare chance to see an unusual talent that you wont forget in a rush.
Bridgend Town Centre Map
OK, here’s our map of the town centre that may be useful to orientate yourself if you’re coming to Feastival. It’s really easy to get around as Feastival is mainly concentrated around the three streets in the middle of the town centre!
