THE 11th Wellington Food and Drink Festival on Saturday attracted an estimated 9,500 people, who enjoyed a great line-up of Somerset food, drink and entertainment.

More than 80 traders from across Somerset were invited to the festival and visitors enjoyed a wide range of tasty treats such as fruit liqueurs, cheeses, confectionary, ciders and baked goods, alongside more exotic offerings like Somerset biltong, charcuterie, chilli plants, bratwurst, Japanese cuisine and After Eight gin.

Co-organiser Bev Milner Simonds, said: “We are so grateful to our wonderful volunteer stewards, sponsors and supporters. They all pulled together to make this a safe, welcoming and well run event that we think Wellington can be proud of.

“Sarah [Milner Simonds – co-organiser] and I tried to step back a couple of times during the day and soak up the atmosphere but as ever we have been flat out with our team of volunteers all day.

“A massive thank you to all of them – they have worked their socks off today, calmly and professionally – a special thank you to Wellington Carnival Committee, who were an invaluable addition to the team.”

Sarah Milner Simonds said: “It was great to see the streets of the town centre full of happy people enjoying so many great food and drink producers. We worked hard to bring the cream of the crop into the town. Many of these producers told us how much they love the festival as the town is so welcoming and the visitors so friendly. There is definitely a vibe to this festival. Wellington is a special place to be, especially on a weekend like this.”

The festival featured lots for all ages, even those who do not enjoy food and drink, including a circus skills workshop, live music at Rule 7, the apple-bobbing challenge and the inaugural Wellington Home Baker Challenge.

Visitors enjoyed a great range of offers from local businesses, including Odette’s Cafe, which was celebrating its first birthday, Tim Potter butchers and Flavours restaurant.

The Wellington Home Baker Challenge, supported by Nexus Insurance, saw some wonderful bakes presented that gave the judges a real challenge. The Young Bakers competition was won by Rebecca Watts, with a pear and almond tart. The adult baker winner was Jade Steel with a rich chocolate sponge. The organisers thanked prize sponsors ETI Thermapen.

The apple bobbing championships, hosted by Wellington School and sponsored by Waitrose, had participants soaked before the rain came down and the audience in peels of laughter all day. The leaders on the board changed several times but championship adult bobber – who really was the fastest bob in the West – was Ben who took less than one second to bob an apple. The most persistent children’s bobbers were Hayon and Racheal K, who both bobbed five apples in 30 seconds. The tag team saw festival organisers teaming up with local MP Rebecca Pow for a spirited but soaking performance.

Visitors to the event also took part in the poll to find the people’s favourite stall. The Best in Show competition, sponsored by local firm Porter Dodson LLP, saw 1,000 votes cast and Passion and Smoke topping the poll as the people’s choice and Humble Pies as the sponsor’s choice.

Sarah added: “Obviously, no outdoor event wants persistent rain for half the day but thankfully the people of Wellington showed that they were determined to come and out and enjoy the festival. We are now busy gathering feedback on this event and are looking forward to building on this for 2017.”

The organisers are keen to hear from anyone with feedback, suggestions, ideas or views on the date for the next festival. You can write to them at wellyfoodfest@gmail.

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