Some food for thought at festival

Crowds at the Plot to Plate event at Boroughbridge

Organisers of Plot To Plate in Boroughbridge hope to build on the success of last year’s inaugural event at its second incarnation next Saturday in the town centre. New for this year are workshops for children to get their hands dirty in a potting shed. Money raised during the event, which starts at 10am and closes at 4pm, will be donated to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Jacqui Trott, one of the event’s organisers at the Boroughbridge Allotment Society, said: “You often hear about the shortcomings of the so-called ‘PlayStation Generation’ but, if you give young people the chance to grow something themselves, you often find there’s a latent interest there.

“Stories in the media about the origin of some of our packaged food have already made it topical but we’re hoping the workshops in the Potting Shed will also help to inspire younger visitors to think about where our food comes from and perhaps a little about the important role producers play in the local economy.”

Hundreds of visitors attended the town centre for last spring’s event and once again there will be dozens of stalls selling handmade goods and locally-grown food and drink, from fruit and vegetables to chocolate lollipops, cakes, gingerbread, jams and preserves, pies, sausages, meats, cheeses, beers and gin.

There will be a scarecrow trail, displays by Morris dancers and country crafts demonstrations. Attractions aimed at children will include a fancy dress competition, face-painting, a treasure hunt and a petting farm.

This year’s event also features the judging of the Great Boroughbridge Bake Off, a contest open to anyone who wants to showcase their prowess in the kitchen.

Professional guests, TV chef and consultant Stephanie Moon from Rudding Park, Sophie Jowett from York’s Cocoa House and Jonathan Batchelor of Harrogate’s Ramus Seafoods will be taking a keen interest in the competition.

Mrs Trott added: “The support and encouragement from local traders has been fantastic.”

For more details about next weekend’s event, visit www.boroughbridgeallotment.btck.co.uk/PlottoPlate