Wow – we don’t know where to start! A HUGE thanks to the amazing people of Market Drayton for making the 5th Annual Ginger and Spice Festival so memorable!

The annual festival which was opened at 9am by Geoff Russell – The Town Crier, Deputy Town Mayor -Mark Whittle and Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP for North Shropshire, took place on one day (this year) and included a Spicy Artisan Street Market on Cheshire Street including a range of local artisan producers, many with a ginger and spicy twist.

George Evans of The Shropshire Macaron Co. said:

“Ginger and Spice sell out – we had fun yesterday, met some lovely traders and customers, and sold all of our stock. Thank you to everyone who came to say hello and supported us – means everything.”

There was a contest for Best Spicy Product and Best Kept Stall judged by Deputy Town Mayor, Councillor Mark Whittle, Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP and Sarah Rees, Event Manager Student at Staffordshire University.

A HUGE congratulations to our winning traders

Best Kept Stall winner – Powells Pies

Best Spicy Product winner – Padian Foods

 

There was also live music at the Buttercross with local groups such as Longlands Primary School, Alasdair Grant Mackenzie (saxophone), Lilly Boughey (guitar and singing) and the Brownies led by Colin Brown (drums, keyboard and guitar).

Local musician Lilly Boughey said: “What a fantastic day we had at the Ginger and Spice Festival. What a great selection of Stalls giving a lovely vibe and a wonderful community feel. Thank you for having us.”

Lorna Hounsell of Longlands Primary School said about the children performing: “It really was brilliant. We are so proud of them and were also really thrilled with the support from people watching.”

Plus there was gingerbread decorating for the little ones with Katie’s Kids Kitchen.

Floating Market

There was also a Floating Market on the Shropshire Union Canal with over 15 traders including a Cheese Aboard and Pizza Aboard Boats.

Organiser, Sue Meades, of the Roving Canal Traders said:

“It was a great pleasure to work with the organisers of the Market Drayton Ginger & Spice Festival to bring a second Floating Market to the town this year. We had a great time; the local support was fabulous as usual & we look forward to being back.”

Trails
The popular free of charge, self guided Leek United Heritage Town Trail & Contest available for families, took place again with record attendance. Winners of the contest are to be announced soon!

Local Shops and businesses decorated their windows with gingerbread characters, dressed to a theme of ‘Heroes and Villains. The best dressed was chosen by all the children who took part on the trail. The winner will also be announced soon.

There was also a brand new ticketed ‘Fodder and Tipple Trail’ sponsored by James Du Pavey which took place over a 5 mile route out into the North Shropshire countryside, Shropshire Union Canal and finished at the Red Lion Inn at Joules Brewery, where there was live music with Big Joe Bone.

Virtual – Gingerbread Talk

There was also a virtual gingerbread talk for those who had to stay at home or could not get to the festival, with Guild of Food writer and historian, Sam Bilton, author of ‘First Catch Your Gingerbread’. Attendees signed up from all over the world including Argentina, USA, Turkey and all over the UK.

Ginger & Spice Festival 2022

Save the date – Sat 24th Sept 2022! More info to follow.