Shrewsbury Food Festival

The weather forecast was fabulous and Macy and I had a free day so we decided to visit Shrewsbury’s Annual Food Festival.  We both get bored being cooped up inside so it sounded like a great way to enjoy the outdoors too!

Their website advised to follow the park and ride signs which would take you ‘near’ the Quarry where the festival was being held.  As soon as we were off the M54 the park and ride signs were easy to follow and we ended up by Meole Brace Retail Park (by Toys R Us, Pets at Home, Sainsburys etc.)  As I got on the bus I checked we were going past the festival and the driver confirmed he was, we were dropped off at a stop which was only a short walk to the Quarry.

Entrance was £6 for adults and £1 for children, as we entered we were given a wristband for Macy for us to put an emergency contact number on which I thought was an excellent idea.  Programmes were free (something of a rarity at these sort of events!) and all the activities for the children once you were in were free.

 There was loads for the children which was great and unexpected.  There was a marquee with some animals in – cows, pigs and chickens.  Then there was a huge marquee full of children’s activities for all age ranges ranging from lego, drawing tables, floor puzzles to craft activities.  A pen outside had some ride on tractors etc and there was face painting as well as children’s cookery school.

The event was huge, probably the biggest I have been to and there were lots of tastings.  Also lots of different outlets for lunch which ensured the queues weren’t too horrendous.  So many of these food fayres don’t have a lot of places for lunch and you end up queueing for ages, but this wasn’t the case here.  The only thing they were lacking was ice cream, there were only two vans and as a result the queues were horrendous.  However I am glad they were as we ended up having some lovely strawberries with some caramel cream instead so it was a bit healthier than having ice cream!

We arrived at the festival shortly after they opened at about 10:15am and we didn’t leave until about 2:15 there was that much to see and do, it was fabulous and definitely a date in the diary for the next one!

We came home with some goodies!

Apley Jousting Fair

Apley Jousting Fair - yeah!  Have been waiting all year for this event, due to suffering from SPD this time last year I never made it, so ever since I have been looking forward to it this year.

So, Apley is a local farm shop with and indoor soft play area, cafe, some local shops and a bit of an animal farm with donkey rides.  The cafe does some lovely food and they hold some nice craft fairs there.  They also offer a cookery club, photography course and more.  Take a look at their website: Apley Farm Shop

So onto the Jousting Fair, we arrived at 11am in time for the morning's schedule of displays which were then repeated in the afternoon.  The lurcher display was on in the main ring which I took part in with Rum and let's just say, he won't be joining their team any time soon!  We walked round the stalls and displays - circus tricks the children (and adults) could have a go at, archery and sword fighting they could also give a go, finally donkey rides.

There was a display by Ben Potter with his eagles and vultures which was amazing.

Finally what everyone was waiting for, on came Knights of the Damned Jousting Stunt Team.

They were amazing and it was well worth watching, just wish it could have lasted longer!

The only thing I would say is we couldn't have a proper photo with Mike the Knight as it was a bit of a free for all.  Lots of food available including a lovely Hog Roast (my favourite).  All in all a great day out!!