For the fifth year running Queen Mother Square will be transformed into a one-day festival drawing in crowds from near and far . Food producers from the Dorset Farmers ’ Market and Dorset Food & Drink line the square offering artisan baked goods , farm fresh meats , locally caught lobsters and vegetables dug up that very morning . Last year more than 8,000 people turned up to celebrate the finest produce the county – and possibly the country – has to offer . The festival was launched five years ago when the Dorset Farmers ’ Market came together with the Duchy of Cornwall to plan a free festival . Since then , the Dorset Food & Arts Festival has gone from strength to strength and every year it raises thousands of pounds |
for Weldmar Hospicecare Trust and other local causes . Over the last few years the festival has become one of the showcase events for Dorset Food and Drink and therefore attracts an array of different producers . The 2016 event is all day Saturday , August 6 from 9am to 5pm with chefs hosting special cooking demos throughout the day . Live music adorns the stage all day and artists perform in the square – including singer Rimski on his piano bicycle . Each year the festival is managed by a committee of volunteers and last year alone it raised £ 3,000 for local charity Weldmar Hospicecare Trust . However , the event is not just for food lovers . It has become increasingly popular with families with the children ’ s area offering arts and crafts , plant a pot and cooking . |
This year children are invited to join in the fun in the children ’ s area , which has a special royal theme to celebrate HM Queen Elizabeth ’ s 90 th birthday . Simon Conibear , of the Duchy of Cornwall Poundbury , said : “ Every year the festival continues to grow in popularity and it is now the key community event for Poundbury . “ It is great to see people from far and wide attend to enjoy the food and music and soak up the atmosphere . This year Queen Mother Square will look quite spectacular as it nears completion and we look forward to the day and raising funds for important local charities .” In total the festival has raised more than £ 8,000 for local charities . |
w www . dorsetfestival . org www . facebook . com / dorsetfestival @ DorsetFestival |
Photography by Lara Jane Thorpe |
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