Thousands of people ate, drank, shopped, sang and watched the experts in action this weekend as Taste Cumbria Christmas came back to Cockermouth.
The festival took place in the heart of the town, on Main Street and Market Place, where there were producers’ stalls, live music marquees, the Demo Stage and children’s activities, alongside street theatre and hot food and drink.
Great British Bake Off star Crystelle Pereira, the self-proclaimed ‘Farmer’s Wife’ Helen Rebanks and adventurous chef Fell Foodie, aka Harrison Ward, all appeared on the Demo Stage, alongside great local experts too. They were showcasing everything from milling flour, to creating Indian dosas, as well as creative Christmas flavours.
Even Father Christmas came to town to meet his young fans in the new grotto, hosted by Cockermouth Pilates Studio.
Before the weekend began, there was a sold-out Supper Club, hosted by Low Hall The Lakes on the outskirts of town, serving a feast from Ambleside’s Smoky Pikes caterers.
Meanwhile on the festival weekend, lots of local organisations got involved too. Kirkgate Arts hosted an Etsy Made in Cumbria event and a fun family cooking session, and the United Reformed Church on Main Street held its monthly Arts & Craft market.
The event is organised by Cumberland Council. Cllr Anne Quilter, executive member for vibrant and healthy places, said: “Thank you to everyone who braved the weather to enjoy a brilliant Taste Cumbria Christmas festival. Thank you also to our amazing sponsors and supporters, and the Taste Cumbria event team.
“They had some sleepless nights in the run up to the weekend thanks to ever-changing weather forecasts but they called it just right, closing a couple of hours early on the Saturday but giving the visiting traders and Cockermouth’s businesses lots of footfall before the winds picked up.
“Now we’re looking forward to plenty more events in 2024 to drive even more trade to our town centres and give the Cumberland economy an even bigger boost."
Joe Murray is the co-chair of Cockermouth & District Chamber of Trade and manager of The Children’s Society shop on Main Street.
“We had a phenomenal weekend - our takings on Sunday were more than three times what we would normally see," he said.
"What I also loved was greeting lots of unfamiliar customers in the shop which shows how Taste Cumbria really attracts new people to visit and spend in Cockermouth. Roll on the next events in 2024!”
This year’s Taste Cumbria Christmas is organised by Cumberland Council, sponsored by Cockermouth Town Council, The Coffee Kitchen Bakery, Holmen Iggesund and Milburns Solicitors, and supported by Cockermouth & District Chamber of Trade.
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