Salcombe Crabfest 2016 welcomed over 3000 visitors to Salcombe

Salcombe Rotary’s inaugural Crab Festival has raised money for local charities including The Salcombe Young Centre and the Fishermen’s Mission.

The event held on Sunday 1^st May 2016, welcomed over 3000 visitors to Salcombe on a usually quiet May Day Bank Holiday. It was a chance for visitors to get up close and personal with over 40 exhibitors and celebrate crab and all things seafood. Crabfest was organised by The Rotary Club of Salcombe and sponsored by two award-winning businesses, Favis of Salcombe and Coast & Country Cottages.

Organiser, John Sampson of The Rotary Club of Salcombe says; “We would like to thank everyone who joined us at Salcombe Crabfest including visitors, exhibitors, sponsors, patrons and our team of volunteers, who all helped make the day very special. We are absolutely delighted by the reaction of everyone who was there and the feedback we have received since has been amazing. Importantly we have raised valuable funds for really worthy charities within our local community”.

Salcombe Crabfest was opened by Mary Berry (CBE), who then spent over an hour at Luscombe Maye signing books provided by The Harbour Bookshop for the crowds that had flocked to Salcombe. Former Royal Correspondent, Jennie Bond interviewed Mary Berry about her life and passion for this area at a special Patrons event hosted by Salcombe Holiday Homes, Salcombe Dairy and Soar Mill Cove Hotel.

The demonstration kitchen at Reddish Marine was packed with audiences thrilled by the fantastic chef demonstrations from local and renowned chefs with full commentary by Michelin star chef Alex Aitken. Visitors also enjoyed seeing crabs and lobsters up close in a 16’ pool provided by The Nautique Foundation, crab from Favis of Salcombe, commercial crab fishing talks, visits to local fishing boats on Normandy Quay, crab pot making and music. Exhibitors included The Bake House, Susie Watson Designs, The Little Pig Food Company, Salcombe Tourist Information Centre, Island Street Bar & Grill, Riverford Organics, Charles Head, The National Coast Watch, The Bakery, Cherry Tree Preserves, Bell and Loxton, Quercus Devon Ales, Rolys Fudge, South Devon Chilli Farm, South Devon Pizza Company, Sharpham Wine and Cheese, Salcombe Sailing, The Devon Beach Company, The Oyster Shack, South Devon and Channel Shell Fishermen and many more, as well as craft and face painting activities to occupy the children courtesy of Coast & Country Cottages!

Salcombe Crabfest was concluded by a ticketed gourmet pop-up supper in the evening for over 80 people by award-winning Chef and Author, Jane Baxter from Wild Artichokes which also raised money for the charities supported by this year’s event.

All the money raised by Salcombe Crabfest will be donated to a number of local charities including The Salcombe Young Centre, who plan to use the money to install a safe weatherproof playing area and carry out essential maintenance.

A full photo gallery from Norsworthy Photography will be available soon, please visit Salcombe Crabfest website www.salcombecrabfest.co.uk.