THE foodie favourite that is the Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival is back with a bang again this year with a whole host of tasty treats to tempt festival goers across the end of May Bank Holiday Weekend (Sunday 26th – Monday 27th May).
As always, there is guaranteed to be something to suit all diets, ages and interests – moreish meats, vegan varieties, curries, cheeses, chutneys, scrumptious ciders, great gins, sweet treats and so much more.
Alongside the regular favourites that festival goers love to see, we’re being promised plenty of new and exciting additions for 2024!
The Drunken Sailors will be dropping anchor – converted from an old fishing boat, she is truly a one of a kind – serviced by a hearty crew and offering the very best draught beers and ciders on tap; hot vegan and vegetarian food and homemade kits will be available from Gloucester-based Slad Valley Mushrooms and coffee lovers will delight in a first appearance by Cowbridge’s own 96 degrees coffee shop.
Tetrim Teas Cymru will also be bringing a range of their nature-based teas to the festival for the first time and adding an exotic twist, the team from Welsh Saffron will be showcasing their unique product, all grown on the rolling lowland hills between Caerleon and Usk.
As well as the main festival site at the Arthur John Car Park, the Old Hall Gardens will be buzzing with lots of family-friendly activities to enjoy, with willow weaving, pétanque, birds of prey and so much more.
In another fabulous festival first, the Vale Food Trail will be celebrating sustainability with a fun timetable of children’s activities and the ‘Lemoneers’ will be adding extra festival fizz with their homemade lemonade!
The much-loved food demos are set to return, providing extra entertainment at the Duke of Wellington on High Street.
Due to its increased popularity, the main site will this year remain open until 6pm on Sunday, 26 May, allowing visitors even more time to sample, savour and soak up the festival vibe.
Speaking about this year’s event, Festival Manager Tracy James-Lieberman said: “We’re gearing up for another great event this year – old favourites that we know are always a real hit but also plenty of new faces that we know our visitors are going to absolutely love.
“There’ll be such a variety of amazing produce available to sample, buy and just generally enjoy; and so many other things going on to make it the perfect way to spend the Bank Holiday!
“Just to add huge thank you to Arthur John & Co for allowing us to take over their car park and their continued support throughout the whole year, special thanks also to Macey Owen.
And of course, to our lovely sponsors; Hensol Castle Distillery and Nathaniel Cars for their support; and all the volunteers who lend a hand to help make the event happen – Cowbridge Rotary, The Young Farmers and Cowbridge Moovers running club – as well as all the local businesses who really embrace the festival vibe.”
Event details:
Sunday 26th – Monday 27th May. Sunday: 9.30am – 6pm. Monday: 9.30am – 5pm
Tickets:
Day pass – £5. Weekend pass – £8. Children under 11 are free.
Tickets are available online in advance or on the day at the festival’s Arthur John Car Park site.
There will be free park and ride services from Forage Farm and Cowbridge Comprehensive School.
Drunken Sailors set to drop anchor in Cowbridge
IT WILL be all hands on deck for the jolly Drunken Sailors crew as the boat docks for the very first time at this year’s Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival.
Festival goers will be invited aboard the mobile bar – uniquely converted from an old fishing boat – to join its hearty shipmates and sample some of the very best draught beers and ciders on tap.
‘Captain’ Dale Hewings and partner Tara hit on the idea for the project which saw him work flat out for 18 months to bring a once weary vessel back to life and swap sea for shore.
“I used to run a company that made bespoke bars for other people and was looking for something to do for myself,” said Dale.
“I knew I wanted it to be unique and one evening, we just thought why not a boat!
“We spent weeks searching for the right one and then we found her for sale, tucked away under some trees in a garden in Gloucester.
“She’s been a fishing boat, hauled in lobster and felt the wind in her sails as a clinker racer and it’s been a real privilege to restore her and create what we think is one of the most unique festival bars out there.
“All the family will be coming along; Tara and our two boys, Dylan who’s five and little Owen who’ll be three months.
“Since having the second baby, we’re more conscious of the events we attend and Cowbridge is such a family-friendly festival – lots for the adults but plenty for the children too so it’s a perfect fit for us.”
Alongside The Drunken Sailors, Dale also runs ‘Gooey Chewy Cheese’ – a food stall adding a bit of razzle to raclette with a whole menu based around the big-wheeled Swiss cheese.
Festival goers will be able to sample for themselves with dishes including the hugely popular classic raclette (with butter boiled garlic and rosemary salted baby potatoes), Philthy cheese steak rolls and Poutine all planned to make an appearance.
Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival manager Tracy James-Lieberman said she can’t wait to have both The Drunken Sailors and Gooey Chewy Cheese on site.
“I absolutely love everything about what Dale has done with the boat – and then I heard there was cheese as well so it just got better.”
Vale Food Trail set to launch at festival
IN A fabulous festival first, the Vale Food Trail will this year launch at the Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival (May 26-27), offering a whole programme of fun family activities hosted by Food Vale – the local food partnership for the Vale – at the Old Hall Gardens site.
Offering visitors the chance to learn more about which food is good for people, place and planet the trail will kick off on Sunday, 26May. Throughout the day, Cardiff and Vale UHB Dietetics will be sharing information on healthy eating while Ediculture will host a mini plant sale with seeds and perennial herbs, along with herb and salad tastings.
Family-friendly craft activities will include ‘make your own fresh fruit faces and animal characters’, Awesome Wales will be inviting festival goers to create wildflower seed bombs to plant at home and there will be a guided foraging walk around the Old Hall and Physic Gardens for all to enjoy.
Activities will round off with a food quiz fit for all the family before kicking off again on Monday with another jam-packed schedule.
This will include an exhibition of the Vale Fairtrade Youth poster competition winners and plenty of delicious free samples and tasters.
A second foraging walk will be hosted by Ediculture and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust will be dropping in to give a talk on how we can all help to look after our beautiful bees.
Festival goers will then be able to join Urban Vertical in a create your own veggie sushi rolls session, listen to a talk from Llanblethlian Orchard on apple growing in the Vale and round off with Food Vale’s fun, interactive food quiz.
Speaking about hosting this year’s trail, Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival manager Tracy James-Lieberman said: “It’s absolutely fantastic that the Vale Food Trail has chosen to launch with us this year – I know last year’s debut event was a massive success and we’re so looking forward to having the guys on site.
“All the activities are completely free and it really will add another element to an already great line up at the Old Hall Gardens.
Following the festival, the Vale Food Trail will run a two-week calendar of events, designed to bring people closer to food producers and businesses in the local area and acting as a celebration of the region’s rich gastronomic heritage.
Ahead of the launch, Sustainable Food Places Co-ordinator at Food Vale Louise Denham said: “Last year, more than 500 visitors and locals travelled around the Vale, independently visiting producers, restaurants and other businesses for events which included farm tours, cookery workshops, tasting events, special exhibitions, live demos and more.
“We’re thrilled with the line-up we have pinned down for 2024 and delighted to be launching at the Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival. As well as the activities listed, there are still others to be confirmed and we’re hoping that lots of festival goers will join us.”
Join My Kinda Choir – Your New Happy Place!
GET ready to sing, laugh and have loads of fun with My Kinda Choir in Bridgend, Llantwit Major and now starting in Cowbridge on Thursday, 23 May!
Venue: Duke of Wellington Pub, Cowbridge, 12:30pm – 1:30pm.
No auditions, just good vibes and great tunes. Whether you’re a shower singer or a seasoned pro, everyone’s welcome to belt it out and make lifelong friends. We aim to build your confidence, improve your mood and wellbeing.
“My Kinda Choir is like a therapy. We are led by a special lady whose enthusiasm and energy are addictive.” – Jude, My Kinda Choir member in Bridgend.
Explore hits from every genre – pop, musicals, reggae, and rock! There’s a song for everyone!
Join the fun – visit www.mykindachoir.co.uk
We can’t wait to meet you and music and memories together!
Cowbridge’s trusted local travel agent
Sam Smith Travel is a trusted, respected and local travel agent based in Cowbridge.
The company was recently voted in the top 3 travel agencies in Wales and the Southwest by the TTG.
They offer all types of travel – from tailor-made holidays to cruises at extremely competitive prices.
The team at Sam Smith Travel have over 100 years of experience between them, so for your next dream holiday be sure to give them a call. You won’t regret it.
For more festival information, please see: cowbridgefoodanddrink.org
- Former Barry office building transformed into vital new homes
- Prolific thief banned from entering shops in Barry
- I’m proud that all parties agreed on children in care plan
⭐ All of our social media in one handy place – here
Former Barry office building transformed into vital new homes
Prolific thief banned from entering shops in Barry
I’m proud that all parties agreed on children in care plan
WHEN you elected me in May, I said I had come to listen and to…
Royal Welsh highlights the role of the rural economy
Parent may have to lose job for school run
Double victory for Pencoed cricketers
