Proper Food and Drink Festival returns to Cramlington at weekend

The highly popular Proper Food and Drink Festival returns to Cramlington next weekend.

It runs from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday (28 and 29 July) at Seven Oaks Park – opposite Manor Walks – and admission is free.

This is the third year the festival has come to Cramlington.  In 2018 it has already visited North and South Shields and Whitley Bay, attracting thousands of people and providing a showcase for North East producers – whether they are brewers, butchers, distillers, bakers or chefs.

Mark Deakin, who started Proper Food and Drink Festivals in 2012 with his wife Shelley, said: “Although it’s one of our newest locations, we’re delighted to be coming back to Cramlington. The first two years here went really well.  The site is ideal for us.  Visitors will recognise some familiar and favourite products, made by suppliers who live around here, but we’re also always introducing new exhibitors to broaden our appeal.”

Festival-goers can buy all sorts of food – from cheesecakes to chilli sauce – and try drinks made by local micro-breweries and distilleries.

“We want to give a treat to all your senses,” said Mark.  “We have chefs cooking street food to appeal to every taste, creating an aroma over the festival site which makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

“Throughout the weekend we’ll also have live music and a soundtrack to get you into the festival mood.”

People coming to this summer’s Proper Food and Drink Festivals will notice an absence of plastic.  There are no single use straws and all suppliers are being encouraged to use containers and packaging that can be re-cycled.

Visitors will also have a chance to win a fantastic prize provided by the event’s new partner, Smooth Radio. It is offering a weekend for two in London, staying at the five star Renaissance Hotel with dinner at Jamie Oliver’s 15 restaurant. Travel is also included. Smooth Radio will be running other promotions and competitions in partnership with the Proper Food and Drink Festivals throughout the summer.

“We’re delighted to have them on board.  People who come to our events know that music is very much part of what we provide, so Smooth is the perfect partner for us,” said Mark.

After Cramlington the Proper Food and Drink Festival has one last stop this summer: Ridley Park in Blyth on 11 and 12 August.

The Deakins are also busy preparing for the second Great North Feast, which takes place at Bents Park in South Shields over the August Bank Holiday.