14,000 enjoy food festival
ARECORDBREAKING number of people enjoyed glorious sunshine at the Accrington Food Festival, with organisers hailing it as one of the best yet.
More than 14,000 people flocked to the town centre and enjoyed a feast of attractions and events, including 70 food stalls and live cookery demonstrations from celebrity chef Richard Fox and The Balti House in Rishton.
Mr Fox praised the turnout, saying: “It’s great to see everyone here and it looks like it’s getting bigger every year – so thanks to you all.”
Visitors were also treated to a dramatic Second World War re-enactment in the grounds of St James Church.
And hundreds later took part in an ‘ Oops Upside Your Head’ unofficial world record attempt in memory of Warner Street trader Evonne Harwood.
The dancing was choreographed by George De Rosa from Clubbercise Hyndburn and also raised money for East Lancashire Hospice.
Accrington and Rossendale College students were on hand in the market hall as they helped children write their names on sponge Accrington NORI-style bricks which were then used to build into a warstyle Anderson shelter display.
A static tank and old Accrington Pals bus were on display outside the market and the Tishy’s Cakes stall, run by Asmma Zafar, sold cupcakes to raise money for the victims of the Manchester terror attack, raising £109.51.
Murray Dawson, managing director of organisers Scott Dawson Advertising, said: “Considering the sheer amount of people, we can report that the event went very smoothly.
“We are incredibly happy about the positive feedback we have received.
“Stallholders told me after the event that they made more money than they do in larger cities in the UK, and we hope to be involved with this wonderful event for many years to come.”