A summary of what's happening at Marple Festival by Michael Wallbank from MARPLE Review's 8 page Marple Festival pull-out.
The Review is delivered to most homes in Marple and copies can also be obtained from Marple Library.TANTALISE your tastebuds and get ready to savour the many treats in store...Marple is preparing to serve up a magnificent seventh Food and Drink Day on Saturday 14 September featuring as ever the massively popular street market and a feast of entertainment for all ages.
Renowned for its vibrant atmosphere, the town centre extravaganza is now firmly established as one of the highlights of the year - a golden opportunity for local and visiting shoppers to see and to sample the wonderful variety of food and drink available in Marple.
The organisers are inviting YOU to get involved by baking a pie - sweet or savoury - as one of the most popular events of previous years makes a welcome return. The Samuel Oldknow pie contest is back but in a break with the past, it will be open to amateur bakers only to encourage more people to have a go, regardless of past experience. Entries must be handed in at the gazebo on Market Street between 12noon and 1pm.
Shops, cafes, restaurants, delicatessens and community groups will be setting out their stalls and selling their wares throughout the day, from 10am to 4pm with hot food, snacks and nibbles to taste and take away, a selection of drinks to refresh your thirst, plus a chance to fill your boots with the finest fresh fruit and veg, meats, fish, cheese, bread and cakes.
New this year, aiming to do a roaring trade is the wood-burning mobile pizza oven from the Marple Tavern. Organisers of the Food and Drink market were quick to spot its potential after seeing it attract plenty of interest on Carnival day. Among the dazzling array of more than 25 stalls, one of the more unusual will feature food themed stationery from The Stationery Shop.
Fashion and fizz go hand in hand as Helen Winterson, one of Marple's best known retailers celebrates 60 years in business. Call in and see the latest collections during Food and Drink Day.
Local organisations will also take pride of place, including Marple Wine Club, Marple College, New Horizons and Friends of Memorial Park. Members of Marple and District Allotment Association will be inviting you to view and buy their home-grown produce. Girl Guides, celebrating their centenary this year, are organising face painting. Also for the young ones, right at the heart of things, there will be children's rides to enjoy.
Marple Band will be providing a suitably lively musical backdrop. The handsome Robinsons Brewery dray horse can expect admiring glances.
Music In Hospitals is arranging the annual busking competition which will see local - and not so local - musicians thronging the streets. All types of street entertainers will be taking part.
Several other bands will be live on stage at the bottom of Derby Way, for this year's Marplebury.
If you are in the Rose Hill area, look out for the Stockport Classic Bus which will be running a FREE hail and ride service to the Food and Drink market, connecting with train times at Rose Hill station.
Meanwhile Marple Cricket and Squash Club will be hosting its annual Real Ale Festival throughout the weekend - Friday 13 to Sunday 15 September with a fine selection of locally sourced real ales complemented by ciders and continental lagers.
Also on the Sunday, Marple Sixth Form College has a family fun day including a beach bar, BBQ, children's funfair and young bands live on stage including some familiar faces from TV's Britain's Got Talent.
More information about Marple Festival should be available at www.marplefestival.org.uk
