TAVISTOCK?S popular food festival is to be staged in a new location, it was decided this week. The entire festival, which last year was held in Tavistock Pannier Market with a farmers? market on Bedford Square, will now take place in a giant marquee in Bedford Car Park on July 30 and 31. Members of West Devon?s economic and community development committee on Tuesday gave Tavistock Business Association the go-ahead to take over up to 80 parking spaces for the event. Cathy Aubertin, West Devon?s facilities contracts manager, said: ?We?ve had a request from the business association to hold this year?s festival in Bedford Car Park. ?Last year?s festival was very successful and it?s proposed that if this is agreed, we would charge them all-day parking per bay. ?This would leave most of the car park for parking and they would assist in the redirecting of motorists to alternative car parks, particularly Riverside Car Park.? Cllr Dick Eberlie, ward member for Tavistock North, said: ?I think the borough should be seen to be supporting the food festival. ?I understand there was a massive misunderstanding regarding the town council and the pannier market ? if we can help, let?s do so, assuming the economics are right.? Tavistock Food Festival chairman Jeffrey Stackhouse said he was ?absolutely thrilled? with the decision. ?I?ve had my fingers and toes crossed it could go through ? it?s very nice news to hear they?ve agreed. As incoming president of the business association, I?m very grateful for their help and support.? Mr Stackhouse said the festival would take place in a huge 30x40 metre marquee, housing around 60 food exhibitors, food demonstrations and a farmers? market, plus a jazz café serving soft drinks and regional food products. He said: ?One of the most exciting things is Elise Jungheim of Country Cheeses is going to organise what she describes as a ?living cheese display area?. ?She?s aiming to have in ten to 12 of her premium suppliers in an area dedicated to cheese, rather than just selling it, involving the making of it. ?As with last year, Peter Gorton from the Horn of Plenty is in the process of lining up a number of celebrity chefs for demonstrations ? and we are hoping for a major celebrity from London.? The exhibitors, many of whom came to last year?s festival but with some new additions, will feature food and drinks from Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset. Three breweries are expected to attend, including the Dartmoor Union which will exhibit its new microbrewery products. Mr Stackhouse hoped the new location for the festival, with all the attractions on the same site, would make the event even more successful. ?We have opted for this revised site because of the size of the exhibition ? the pannier market just wasn?t large enough,? he said. Last year?s festival attracted thousands of people to the town. Following the event, the committee donated £1,000 to the Children?s Hospice South West, £100 to the Roby Trust and £100 to the Versatile Tubes group.
