Following the success of the inaugural Christmas Farmers Market, the Forty Farms Fair returns to Rheged, near Penrith, later this month.
It returns with a summer twist on Saturday, July 22 between 10am and 3pm and will feature farmers, producers, fellow foodies and artisan crafters who will come together to showcase their wares at the free event.
There’ll be some familiar faces from the original Forty Farms exhibition held last year in Rheged’s Gallery, including Jane Emmerson from Deer & Dexter, Frank Hunter from Piperhole Goat Farm and Jo Clayton – Designs from the Woods.
There will also be a host of other local producers and crafters, including Ginger Bakers selling cakes and bakes, Pennington’s Spirits, Rebel Gelato who sell plant-based ice cream and crumble and sourdough bakers Lovingly Artisan.
The event has been developed with Kendal Farmers Market.
Visitors can spend time browsing over 25 stands selling food and handmade gifts, as well as meeting some of the Cumbrian farmers and local producers who have hand crafted them.
The event will also feature a series of talks in the lecture theatre and a chance to win a special hamper filled with Cumbrian artisan goodies.
The talks will get underway at 11.30am with Paul Cambre from Growing Well, who will explain how his team is helping to grow a healthier Cumbria, as well as sharing his top tips on seasonal veg growing.
At 12.30pm, Jim Bliss, of Lowther Estates, will take the audience through the last five years of the large-scale nature recovery project at Lowther, which has seen the reintroduction of beavers, native breed pigs, English long-horn cattle, as well as planting of woodland and wildflower meadows.
All of which is designed to help establish a wild landscape benefit an ever-increasing number of species as well as enhancing the habitats and the wider local environment.
Aiden Monks, of Lovingly Artisan, a multi-award-winning sourdough bakery near Kendal, takes to the stage at 1.30pm and will share some bread baking hints and tips as well as some insight as to why the bread you eat can have a significant impact on your gut health and immune system.
Horseback adventurer Clare Dyson takes over at 2.30pm, to show a special screening and Q&A of Thriving, a film by one of Cumbria most respected film makers Dom Bush.
It charts the 200-mile horseback journey Clare undertook with her Welsh Cob, Merry, last year. She travelled from the Lyth Valley to Coniston, then to the west coast and Ravenglass through Great Langdale, before returning via Ullswater to Haweswater. Along the way, she visited regenerative farmers who are working hard to boost biodiversity and help combat climate change, while at the same time producing food.
Tickets to watch Thriving must be booked in advance and are priced at £8 for adults and £6.50 for concessions and can be booked here: https://rheged.com/event/thriving-a-journey-into-regenerative-farming-feature-film-qa/
Claire Logan-Stephens, head of programming at Rheged, said: “We are delighted to be able to work with the highly respected Kendal Farmers Market to bring the Forty Farms Fair back to Rheged, with a summer twist.
“The exhibitors, the programme of free talks and the special film screening combine the chance to buy delicious local produce, meet the makers and hear first-hand about the innovation going on Cumbrian farms to help improve biodiversity and combat climate change.”
For more information, visit https://rheged.com/forty-farms-fair
