[Bodger]

Last nights Country File? Did you watch it?
In this episode, they visited this years Ludlow Food Festival. We've been to it a couple of times and watching the programme made me realise that we must go again soon.
The topic that was of particular interest was about the couple who were producing Salami from their forest reared pigs. Rob and Jen actually visited the food festival and their stall. They purchased some of their salami and rated it highly. Here's the website for you to have a look through.

http://www.forestpig.com/

A pricey product list but I'd certainly be tempted to buy some. I take my hat off to them and only wish that I had a bit of their get up and go. What do you think?

[hughesy]

Wish we had some free forestry to let our pigs forage in! For once I actually enjoyed Countryphile without anything in it getting me mad and making me rant at the telly much to the Missus's annoyance

[Greenerlife]

I have it sky plussed as I have to watch it when my terrier is sound asleep!  Looked at that link though - my that Coppa looks fantastic!  Might have a go at that myself next piggy along!

[Shropshirelass]

I live approx 20 mins from Ludlow & gotta admit - I love the town, the food festival - it's just a lovely place & defo worth a visit (Even if parking is awful  ) xx

[Bodger]

We do the park and drive bit for the food festival, its a very well organized event.

[Berkshire Boy]

I like Ludlow but object to being charged to go into the castle to spend my money on the stalls.That's just greedy.

[Bodger]

Have you ever been to the Food Festival? If you haven't, then you don't know what you're missing, or what you entrance fee goes towards achieving. You have to pay to go into the castle on days when there's nothing special going on, but even that's well worth it.

[Berkshire Boy]

Yes I have been to the festival I also supply pigs for one of the stall holders. I do not pay to go to a shopping centre so why should I pay to enter a building that is full of places for me to spend my money.

[hughesy]

I do not pay to go to a shopping centre so why should I pay to enter a building that is full of places for me to spend my money.

I'm inclined to agree BB but if the organisers don't get any money in they won't be able to do it again. Even though they're charging the stallholders an arm and a leg!

[Bodger]

I know that we're going a little off topic, but without events like The Ludlow Food Festival, then IMO the fabric of UK country life would be much poorer.
If we were to follow your argument through, then exactly the same accusation could be leveled at the Smallholders Festival at Builth Wells and just about every other event held up and down the length and breadth of the country. They're informative and interesting but they're also shop windows for people to buy and sell through.

[Berkshire Boy]

Shows are different they are not primarily there to sell stuff. Stall holders at food festivals are there to sell and get future customers. If I remember rightly it is £24, 2 adults & 2 kids to get in the castle at ludlow that is money the stall holders don't get and when money is tight £24 is a lot of money.
The guy who has my pigs does Ludlow but will not go in the castle because their takings are a lot lower.

[Bodger]

Again IMO, The Ludlow Food festival is as much a show as it is a market. There are all sorts of displays taking place through out the day.  There's old time cider making going on and much, much more.
 
You say yourself  "The guy who has my pigs does Ludlow but will not go in the castle because their takings are a lot lower"  As I say, that could be because its just as much a show as it is a place to sell from.
 
We first went there back in 2009 and got to meet and talk to one of my heroes. I'm three stone lighter than I was those days.Thank God! 
 
http://overthegate.myfreeforum.org/about16060.html&highlight=ludlow
 
I actually did stop going to the Smallholders Show a few years back, because I considerd it to be  much more a glorified car boot sale than a show.