Held at the Herefordshire Race Course, this year sees the fifth Food Festival.  There will be cookery demonstrations, including some by the Hairy Bikers, the current celebrity guests.The food pavilion will be providing space for over seventy independent food and drink producers from the area. You will almost certainly have heard of Bulmers, Westons Cider and Tyrells Crisps, all from Herefordshire, but there are many other small cider companies, breweries and several vineyards, Pixley Berries (sold at Waitrose), Jo Hilditch’s British Cassis, Neal’s Yard Creamery, chocolates, ice-creams, breads, hand-made puddings, preserves and fruit juices. There is now even  the Chase Distillery. Founded by William Chase who started Tyrells Crisps, it produces the country’s only potato vodka and excellent gin.Click on any photograph to take you to the appropriate website.

Newent already had an Onion Fair in medieval times. Although it died out during the early C20th, it was revived in 1996 and now is a very popular event celebrating the start of harvest and showcasing local food and drink. What is, in effect, a town party, is unique in the country, as at its heart is the famous Newent Onion Show. Entrants are invited from growers of all Alliums, so leeks, garlic and chives are also welcomed. There are sections for children and teenagers, onion-stringing and an onion-eating competition, all leading to cash prizes and highly-sought-after trophies. This year’s guest of honour is Adam Henson, familiar to many from his part in the BBC Countryfile programme. Apart from onions, you will find music and dancing (including a medieval band and Morris dancers), side shows, fishing, fancy dress, model boats, fairground rides, singing, a dog show, wedding dress exhibition  and, of course, stalls selling  all sorts of tempting items. The Newent Onion Fair seems to have everything. Click on the photos to take you to the website.

Herefordshire Art Week (h.Art) is an open studio event, giving people an opportunity to visit artists’ studios and attend workshops and exhibitions. Divided into five routes, (Hereford city, East, West, North and South of the county), one can follow these artistic trails to see and (perhaps even buy) items of original art and talk with their creators. The east of the county (which includes the Ledbury area) has 27 points on the route, three of which are included above. The first photo shows the diversity of stitches which can be achieved by embroiderers; there will be an exhibition of textile art at The Weavers Gallery in Church Lane, Ledbury. The last photo is of a lovely tactile tapestry bag. Ledbury Heritage Centre will be the place showcasing work by The Guild of Herefordshire Craftsmen, including bags, ceramics and jewellery. The middle photo is of Clisset wood, a five minute drive from us. This will host an exhibition and demonstrations of woodland-related crafts such as bark dyed yarns, free form furniture and tool making. In addition, you can always watch the falconry displays and enjoy the tea and cakes. Click on  Herefordshire Art Week for the website or any of the photos to take you to that individual venue.

Yesterday saw the end of the Poetry Festival. It finished with Jazz in The Feathers’ garden on Saturday evening, the music provided by Andy Masefield’s Jazz Band, and with the town party yesterday. The High Street is closed off and given over to merriment in the form of entertainers playing on an improvised stage, along with stalls providing organic produce, Indian delicacies, French pastries, local spring water and  Ledbury’s very own champion butcher David Waller (and family) providing sausages and burgers for hungry tourists and townspeople alike. We spent a very pleasant hour or two sipping Pimms in the sunshine and watching the goings on. Click on any of the photos to take you to the Poetry Festival website - it will be back next year.