A THREE day community food festival takes place in Topsham this month. The second annual Topsham Food Festival will be held from Friday, June 18, until Sunday, June 20. Culminating with more than 300 tables lining the streets for a communal feast, the ev

A THREE day community food festival takes place in Topsham this month.

The second annual Topsham Food Festival will be held from Friday, June 18, until Sunday, June 20.

Culminating with more than 300 tables lining the streets for a communal feast, the event aims to showcase locally sourced produce.

The festival is held in aid of the Topsham Community Association and the Force cancer charity.

A spokesperson for the event said it also had a long term goal to be the start of an ongoing 'shop locally' campaign.

"The festival highlights so much that is outstanding and excellent, literally on our doorsteps," he said.

"Topsham residents are fortunate to have such a wealth of food shops, restaurants, pubs and cafes and it is up to the community to support these local businesses."

The programme of events starts on Friday with an evening of food-themed films to be shown in Matthews Hall. Movies include Ratatouille, starting at 4.30pm, and Julia and Julia, at 7.45pm.

A two course meal based on recipes from Julia Child's book will be available during the interval. Alternatively, cinema-goers are encouraged to take a picnic.

There will be wine and soft drinks on sale and the bar opens at 6.30pm. Entrance for one or both films is �6 for adults and �3 for children with tickets available on the door.

An array of food and drink workshops will take place on Saturday at a number of venues throughout the town including The Globe Hotel, Darts Farm and in the Pebblebed tasting cellar.

Highlights include James Chubb, East Devon District Council's ranger, who will host activities for children at Darts Farm and Gerald David will parade his prize cow.

Ian Shears, an organic farmer, will deliver a Seed to Loaf roadshow, demonstrating the transformation of Topsham-grown wheat into bread rolls.

Greg Towning will talk about ales brewed in the town which can also be sampled as well as tastings of Pebblebed and other local wines.

Topsham Quay becomes the venue for an outdoor festival of music and food on Saturday evening.

The three day spectacle draws to a close on Sunday with Nello's Longest Table communal feast.

Tables will be set up on the full length of Fore Street, which will be closed to traffic at 2pm, around Ferry Road, the Underway and on Topsham Quay.

The idea for the feast was originally that of Nello Ghezzo, a local Topsham restaurateur who died in 1999 but his memory lives on through the event and the annual Force Century Challenge bike ride.

The full programme of events for Topsham Food Festival can be viewed by visiting the following website address at: www.topshamfoodfestival.org.uk

For more information, call Liz Hodges at The Globe on (01392) 873471, Marc Millon on (01392) 873778, Rachel Aldridge at Darts Farm on 01392 878228 or email info@topshamfoodfestival.org.uk