May Day 2004 sees an exciting new venture showcasing Cumbrian beer and food. The county’s first Food and Drink Festival is being held from 1st to 9th May starts off with a three day Food and Drink Fair (1st to 3rd May) at Rheged Discovery Centre, near Penrith. There will be over 50 specialist food and drink stalls and Cumbria’s 14 breweries will feature heavily. Local CAMRA members are getting involved to help make sure the beer is expertly served. There will also be cookery demonstrations, food talks, tastings and entertainment. Beer writer Roger Protz will give talks on Saturday 1st May.

Roger Humphreys, landlord of the Kirkstile Inn at Loweswater is one of the Festival’s committee members. He explains that the major aim of the festival is to promote the excellence and diversity of food and drink that is produced in Cumbria. There will also be scores of food and drink events at restaurants, hotels and pubs all over the county. The festival is being supported by Rural Regeneration Cumbria, the NorthWest Development Agency and the Leader+ Programme. Jennings are brewing a new beer, to be called Golden Host, to celebrate Wordsworth’s daffodils, which will be launched at the Festival.

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