Food is the word in the bounteous Vale - Bredon Hill Festival of Food

Now organisers of the Festival are looking to build on the success of this year's event and continue to promote the quality of services and food grown in the Vale.

"We want to keep local producers, produce, shops and pubs and restaurants in the public eye," said Penelope Bossom of Overbury Estate.

Breakfast

Main events included a breakfast with locally-produced ingredients at the Beckford Inn, a tasting evening of locally-produced food at Deer Park Hall, Eckington, and a Meet The Farmer session with Jake Freestone, farm manager at Overbury Estate.

Shops, pubs and restaurants highlighted locally-sourced produce during the festival which was part of British Food Fortnight.

Caron Steele, of Deer Park Hall, said: "We've all been delighted with the re-sponse. I'm sure we've educated a lot of people about the great variety of food that's produced locally and available without having to travel many miles."

She explained: "French people, for example, are very loyal to their local producers and what we're trying to do is encourage people around Bredon Hill to be the same."

Mrs Bossom: "We plan to build on the success of this festival and what we're trying to do is to establish a sustainable food network around Bredon Hill."

She said most people knew at least one local producer or supplier which gave them trust in the system and it was important to build on that and get more producers and consumers involved. Mrs Bossom said it was encouraging that as a result of the activities during the festival there were a lot more farmers who said they would like to join in.