A brand new SPRING FOOD FAIR is coming to Abergavenny on Saturday 9 March and we’d love to see you there. FREE ENTRY. Venue: St Mary’s Priory and Tithe Barn NP7 5ND. 10am-4pm.
(image above: Zoe and Rob Proctor of Tir Awen)
Buy local. Shop sustainably. Say hello to the best growers and producers in Monmouthshire and surrounding area (25 exhibitors/caterers).
Celebrate the flavours of the season! From meeting local growers and producers to sampling delectable treats, the Spring Food Fair is all about buying local and supporting the community.
Shop for seasonal staple foods, sign up to innovative box schemes, enjoy live music, engaging talks, and activities for children.
Local groups will also showcase their work, which all feeds into the creation of a fairer, more sustainable, and healthy county-wide food ecosystem.
This family-friendly affair is your chance to explore the best fresh produce and artisanal delights from Monmouthshire and the surrounding area. Free entry for all.
Exhibitors
THE QUEEN BEE HONEY CO: Caring for bees locally throughout Torfaen and Monmouthshire, producing unpasteurised honey, honeycomb, beeswax candles, beeswax polish and other bee-related gift ranges.
THE REBEL CRUMBLE: A range of tasty crumbles, bringing you warmth and comfort. From traditional, to alcohol infused, gluten-free and vegan options will also be available. Come and be rebellious!
THE CRAFTY PICKLE CO: Hand-crafted gut-friendly, unpasteurised, living fermented foods. On a mission to reduce food waste by using as much perfectly edible, but imperfect or surplus produce as possible to craft raw, vegan and naturally nutritious sauerkrauts, kimchis & kimchi juice. A percentage of all sales goes towards addressing food insecurity in the UK.
WENTWOOD’S BISTRO: Offering Mediterranean Cuisine that is well presented and Bistro standard, incorporating tastes and styles from the Med. New to the street food industry and offering something different.
LANGTONS FARM: A local organic market garden, delivering veg boxes to Abergavenny, Crickhowell, Brecon and more. Find out about their boxes and other ways to get hold of their fresh and tasty veggies here
BROOKE’S DAIRY: Artisan ice-cream from pedigree Jersey cows. Cheeses and cheese tastings.
THE DELL VINEYARD: Based in Raglan and run by the Alford family. Products include Yr Afanc with flavours of elderflower and pear, Y Gwyllgi – Wales’ first Pinot Noir Gin co-produced with Silver Circle Distillery and combining skin, pulp and seeds from winemaking with wild flavours of Wye Valley botanicals.
MONNOW VALLEY CIDER: Offering a range of their Monmouthshire grown and produced ciders, perries and apple juices.
SOBREMESA DRINKS: Terroir-driven farmhouse beers and natural ciders. All ciders are wild fermented, no added sulphites, unfiltered, unfined and unpasteurised to encourage people to drink and enjoy the “Welsh Pomona”. One of the few current breweries using only British malts and hops but also incorporating Welsh ancient grains (Hen Gymro).
HILLSIDE BEEF AND LAMB: Farms native bred cattle and sheep, near Abergavenny and offers a home delivery service for their 100% grass fed and finished beef, lamb and mutton. Talk to them to find out how the farm is managed regeneratively, for the benefit of nature, wildlife and the environment as well as producing nutrient rich food.
BLACK WELSH LAMB: Organic, pasture-fed accredited hogget lamb and mutton from just outside Abergavenny. Their lamb won Three Gold stars at the Guild of Fine Foods ‘Great Taste Awards’. They sell to private customers and restaurants and offer either small or large boxes of lamb or individual joints. They are introducing a subscription scheme so that customers can reserve lamb in advance throughout the year. Happy to talk about their approach to rearing and sustainability.
MONMOUTHSHIRE FAYRE and LOWER HOUSE FARM: Monmouthshire Fayre connects you with local farmers and producers to bring local food to local people. Currently working with 8 farms and 13 small businesses to create meat box subscriptions, hampers and ready meals. Pop down and try some samples or discuss supply for your household or business.
Lower House Farm, is a mixed livestock farm tenanted by Laura and Matt who host open farm events and work in partnership with other local enterprises to encourage more people to buy locally and truly seek out where their food comes from. They use regenerative practices that cultivate healthy soils, promote diverse ecosystems and encourage resiliency. They are on a mission to see more people ‘Get On Farm’ through their events and (soon to launch) farm shop. They sell meat boxes direct and are a supplier for Monmouthshire Fayre. They are keen to work with more local producers who might like to supply their farm shop in the future.
THREE POOLS: Three Pools is a farm local to Abergavenny that practises permaculture and regenerative farming. They will be bringing a range of products produced on their farm – apple juice, honey, cider vinegar and meat. They will also be on hand to talk about events to be hosted on the farm over the course of spring and summer.
THE PRESERVATION SOCIETY: The Preservation Society produces multi award-winning jams and preserves, sirops, chutneys and pickles from the heart of the Wye Valley, and runs courses too.
MONMOUTH GIN COMPANY: showcasing multi award-winning premium craft gins which visitors will be able to sample. Happy to talk about their craft distillery (how it all started) and the processes used to make their gin.
TIR AWEN: A local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Market Garden which encourages people to try local veg boxes and has a commitment to sharing information on the value of small scale horticulture and buying local food. They are also linked to Bannau Acres so can share information on the network of local veg suppliers in the area.
CAERWENT CRAFT CHOCOLATE: Produce high quality single origin bean to bar chocolate with cocoa beans from different countries of origin. The chocolate has no artificial ingredients or colours and all dark chocolate products are Vegan.
BLACK MOUNTAINS PRESERVES: Award winning Handmade Preserves. Made by the traditional open pan method in the heart of the Black Mountains.
Event Programme – The Priory Centre (indoors)
Spotlight Sessions: A chance to hear directly from local producers, food companies and community organisations, joined in conversation by farmer and broadcaster Sarah Dickins.
| 10:50 – 10:55 | OPENING with The Mayor – Cllr Anne Wilde & Marianne Elliott – MCC |
| 11:00 – 11:20 | MUSIC – Cân y Fenni Abergavenny-based choir, led by the award winning songwriter and composer Tanya Walker |
| 11:30 – 11:50 | SPOTLIGHT SESSION: Livestock Farming Huw Evans (Three Pools Permaculture Farm) and Ben Jones (Hillside Beef and Lamb) join us to discuss the challenge of producing quality meat for local consumers while building a business that is both viable and positive for people and planet. |
| 11:50 – 12:10 | SPOTLIGHT SESSION: Why Buy Local? Jessi Stevens (Monmouthshire Fayre) and Clare Lewis (Hello Good Pie ) take a break from their stands to share with us their passion for local food, the key factors that make it work, who it benefits and how. |
| 12:20 – 12:40 | MUSIC – Kite Iya Songs exploring themes of landscape, spirituality and folklore. |
| 12:50 – 13:10 | STORYTELLING – Marcus Pibworth (Springtime Stories) Traditional tales, myth and personal stories from the mesmerising Marcus Pibworth |
| 13:20 – 13:50 | SEASONAL FORAGING – Liz Knight of Forage Fine Foods Discover what tasty treats can be found in hedgerow, woods and fields, and what to cook up with them |
| 14:00 – 14:20 | MUSIC – The Holywells Acapella swing and boppin’ blues from The Hollywells. Sing alongs encouraged! |
| 14:30 – 14:50 | SPOTLIGHT SESSION: Creating a Quality Product Arthur Serini (The Crafty Pickle Co) and Daniel Baxter (The Queen Bee Honey Co) discuss what it takes to make the most of local produce, people (and bees!) to create a quality product with a value greater than the sum of its parts, whether that be nutritionally, artistically, or culturally. |
| 14:50 – 15:10 | SPOTLIGHT SESSION: Food Justice Marianne Elliott (Sustainable Foods Project Manager, Monmouthshire County Council) and Katherine Langton (Langtons Farm) join us to consider how we can ensure everyone benefits from nutritious, delicious, sustainable, locally sourced food, in a way that is also dignified and practical. In the face of a cost of living crisis, a broken relationship between people, land and food, and premium prices, what needs to change? |
| 15:30 – 16:00 | MUSIC – Third Man Up and coming local band playing quirky originals with a punk edge from Third Man |
Community Tables – The Priory Centre (indoors)
The Community Tables will give local community groups the opportunity to share what they do and offer to the Monmouthshire area.
| 10.00 – 12.00 | MONMOUTHSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL / GWENT GREEN GRID – Colette Mooney Activities involving paper potters so you can prep with compost, and perennial herb seeds – good for pollinators & reduces food carbon footprint. |
| 10.00 – 12.00 | FAIRTRADE ABERGAVENNY – Mary Morgan A wide variety of Fairtrade items, showing where you can buy locally, plus free samples of Fairtrade bananas and chocolate. |
| 12.00 – 14.00 | CWTCH ANGELS – Annie Hartwright Will share what they do, offering support to those in need, with a focus on access to food and food waste. |
| 12.00 – 14.00 | GREENER ABERGAVENNY – Mary Morgan Will share what they offer, green advice, tips and updates on future events. |
| 14.00 – 16.00 | ABERGAVENNY COMMUNITY CENTRE – Marion Pearse Focus on Cooking For Life sessions, using local and seasonal produce as tools to link children and young people to healthy and ethical choices. |
| 14.00 – 16.00 | GWENT ASSOCIATION OF VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS – Jo Webb Plans to connect with even more community groups, offering support in helping set up their governance structures and source funding for their activities. |
MONMOUTHSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL / GWENT GREEN GRID
The Gwent Green Grid Partnership is a collaboration of the five local authorities of Gwent, working with Natural Resources Wales and other partners and stakeholders. The partnership promotes nature-based training opportunities and engages volunteers in community action to make improvements to green spaces, urban and country parks, cycleways and public rights of way.
ABERGAVENNY FAIR TRADE FORUM
The Abergavenny Fairtrade Forum is made up of people from the local community and representatives from Oxfam, churches and the County Council. The Forum continues to promote Fairtrade and the sale and use of Fairtrade products by local businesses and organisations.
CWTCH ANGELS
Cwtch Angels work within the community by providing free donated food, baby items, household items, pre-loved school uniforms and much more. They also run a Community Fridge, stopping good food going to landfill.
GREENER ABERGAVENNY
The inaugural 2023 Greener Abergavenny Fair showcased a diverse array of exhibitors who offered innovative and sustainable solutions to everyday challenges. Greener Abergavenny aims to reinforce the town’s commitment to combating climate change and preserving its natural resources.
ABERGAVENNY COMMUNITY CENTRE
The Abergavenny Community Centre is a Charity set up by residents to help people who are living, growing-up, parenting, and growing old in and around Abergavenny. The community centre brings people together to socialise, nurture relationships, and create new opportunities.
GAVO (GWENT ASSOCIATION OF VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS)
GAVO provides support, advice, guidance and recognition across Monmouthshire for all things Volunteering. They provide support & advice to the Third Sector in Monmouthshire, including Community and Voluntary Groups as well as individuals who are interested in helping and supporting their community.
Children’s Seasonal Crafts Activities
Venue: Tithe Barn Café
Local eco artist Lauren Youngs will lead these free drop-in craft sessions for children using natural materials. The sessions are suitable for children aged 4 – 14. Younger children must be accompanied by an adult to help with the making process. Sign up for sessions at the entrance. There is limited capacity.
| 11.30 – 12.30 | SPRING EGG DECORATING: Make your own decorated Spring eggs using collage and decoupage techniques. |
| 13.00 – 14.00 | DREAM CATCHERS: Make your own woodland dream catcher using foraged willow and hazel |
| 14.30 – 15.30 | ECO PAINT: Make and use your own eco paint using natural ingredients such as charcoal and oil. Discover Lauren’s other handmade woodland inks. |
Bands Performing:
Growing New Shoots
The Spring Food Fair takes place on just one day, but it serves as a showcase for the year-round food story of Monmouthshire. So see this event as an introduction. Do your weekly shop. Taste something new. Talk to some brilliant producers. And while you’re doing all that, take in the great atmosphere.
Play your part in helping the people behind the county’s remarkable food offering grow new shoots and thrive.
This event – a collaboration between the Abergavenny Food Festival and Monmouthshire County Council – is made possible by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Food Resilience Programme, reflecting a shared commitment to fostering a robust and sustainable local food system.
* PLEASE NOTE: Dogs (other than assistance dogs) will not be allowed into the Priory Centre *
