All things green and beautiful will be celebrated this weekend as vegetables great and small take centre stage at VegFest, while raising money for disabled facilities.
Crumpsall and Cheetham Allotments are celebrating their homegrown greens with the annual event, inviting all the family to join in the veggie festivities including Edwardian Fete, climbing wall and eclectic mix of live music.
This year’s VegFest is particularly wholesome, as it will raise money towards the creation of a special plot exclusively for the use of disability groups.
Dougie Allen, Secretary for the Crumpsall and Cheetham Horticultural Society, told MM: “It promises to be a great day. The artists are amazing.”
A display of all the goods grown by the Crumpsall and Cheetham plot holders will also take centre stage, with an RHS judge coming down to pick out the best veg.
“The floors have been polished especially,” added Crumpsall-based Dougie.
As well as music and produce, a marquee filled with Edwardian games including classics such as hook-a-duck, will also join the festivities.
Manchester’s own Robert Owen Brown of The Manchester Gourmet Club in Didsbury, will be dropping by to cook up a storm.
And a real ale tent from award-winning local brewers Blackjack Brewery will join the food stalls, as well as cupcake shop Alex’s Bakery from Salford.
Good name or awful that is the question. Lets hope it works ready for @vegfestmcr ! pic.twitter.com/iqFPRndbQb
— BlackJackBeers (@Blackjackbeers) August 7, 2014
But all the veggie fun has serious roots, with money raised from the event going towards a council grant to be spent on disabled facilities.
Dougie said: “The money raised is going towards a grant for us to build disabled toilets on the site so people with disabilities can use the plots.”
He added: “Everyone taking part in VegFest are giving their services for free so we can raise as much money as possible.”
According to Dougie, the day’s biggest highlight is the fabulous live music, particularly Mary Joanna and the Southern Electrikk, fronted by actress and female voclaist Mary Joanna Coogan.
The stage will also see the likes of four piece indie rock and roll band Dead Seas and founder of Manchester’s Matt and Phred’s Jazz Club, saxophonist Matt Nickson.
VegFest takes places on Sunday 17 August at Crumpsall & Cheetham Allotments, from 10am-4pm.
Image courtesy of Haans Gruber, with thanks
