The Ginger and Spice Festival, based in Market Drayton, has been shortlisted for the third time as a Midlands finalist in the ‘Best Rural Social Enterprise, Charity or Community Project’ category of the Rural Business Awards 2021/22.
The Festival, which is now in its 5th year, is an annual celebration that takes place in and around Market Drayton during British Food Fortnight, championing and celebrating the unique culinary heritage and history of the town – the home of gingerbread.
This is achieved via an eclectic programme of events which inspire the local community and enrich the cultural, social and economic vitality of the area. The festival also acts as a vehicle to promote local food producers, the weekly markets, other community groups, plus to explore heritage and places of historical interest & significance in and around the rural market town.
The Rural Business Awards are divided into six regions nationally. The final round of judging for the Midlands region will take place in the week commencing 19th July 2021 and the winner will be announced via an online Midlands Region Presentation on Friday 8th October 2021. The regional winners from each category will then go onto the grand final taking place on Thursday 24th February 2022 for a chance of being crowned National Category Winners.
Commenting on being shortlisted, founder and Festival Director, Julia Roberts, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to once again be short listed as one of the Midlands finalists in the Rural Business Awards. The Ginger and Spice Festival has adapted and evolved during the pandemic and goes from strength to strength. We look forward to continuing to contribute towards having a positive impact for the local community whilst building a financially stable and adaptable festival. We are also looking forward to this year’s festival which will taking place on Saturday 25th September 2021 with a brand new fodder and tipple trail!”
This year the festival will take place on Saturday 25th September and will include a free of charge spicy street market (on Cheshire Street) including local, artisan producers, many with a ginger and spicy twist! A free self-guided heritage trail & contest available for families, including visiting buildings and places of historical significance, with a fun and educational heritage quiz for the little ones and a best dressed Gingerbread person contest for the local businesses – to be judged by the trail goers.
There will be some online events for those self isolating or who cannot get to the festival on the day.
Additionally, there will be a brand new ‘Fodder and Tipple Trail’ which will be ticketed and will guide festival goers through the streets of Market Drayton and out into the Shropshire countryside – including the Shropshire Union canal – towards the floating market (also attending this year’s festival). This ticketed trail will include local tasting courses & refreshers at several stop offs along the 5 mile route, plus a goody bag with local artisan produce! For further information on all events and to book a ticket for the Fodder and Tipple Trail (tickets will go live in July), please go to What’s On via the festival website www.gingerandspicefest.co.uk.
Shropshire Live is regulated by 