Organisers of the Rock Oyster Festival are declaring this year the best yet as a record number of revellers flocked to the event despite the changeable weather.
The three day food and music festival which took place last weekend, 22 – 24 June, near Rock, north Cornwall, featured music from The Dub Pistols, Charlotte Church and the Mercury nominated band The Bees plus a host of local acts.
Around 5,000 people visited the Rock Oyster Festival this year in north Cornwall.
Festival organiser Charlie Anderson said: “We are really pleased with how this year’s event went. We had around 5,000 visitors over the course of the weekend and everyone had a great time.
“This year we wanted to step things up in terms of the organisation and the quality of the production. Our big top added a new dimension that proved very popular. Dinham House is a really stunning location with a unique atmosphere and it was great that so many people were able to come and share the experience.”
Dubbed as a ‘Glastonbury for foodies’, festival goers were treated to a variety of food and drink from local producers such as Porthilly Oysters, Harbour Brewing Co and restaurants including the St Moritz Hotel and The Seafood Restaurant.
Local chefs were also demonstrating their skills in the new Flying Fish Chefs’ Theatre with foodie stars Tom Scade from Tides Restaurant, Paul Ainsworth from No 6 and Andy Appleton from Fifteen Cornwall on stage.
Now in it’s third year, the festival showcased an array of local musical talent with performances from Cornish folk punk band Crowns, singer Neil Halstead and DJs Hong Kong Ping Pong.
International music star Charlotte Church, who headlined the festival on Sunday, said via Twitter: “Thank you to everyone at the Rock Oyster Festival in Cornwall. I had a blast! Absolutely beautiful festival filled with beautiful people!”
Famous chef and restaurateur Rick Stein, whose restaurants are based just across the estuary in Padstow, made a surprise performance to judge the famous Oyster Shucking Competition. Head Chef John Walton from No 6 in Padstow took the prize for best presentation whilst Ashley Rabey from The Seafood Restaurant displayed the fastest shucking skills.
Championed as a family-friendly festival, the children’s tent featured performances from Circus Bezercus and the Squash Box Theatre over the course of the weekend. The Fanti Acrobats from Ghana also proved popular and drew large crowds with their performances.
Charlie Anderson continued: “We are really grateful to all of the local businesses, people and visitors that have supported the Rock Oyster Festival and have helped make this year such a success. Special thanks must also go to the Wight family for hosting the event.”
The festival is a not for profit event that was supporting local charities The National Lobster Hatchery and Tubestation in Polzeath.
Dates for next year’s festival will be announced later in the year. Sign up for email news via the festival website to be the first to hear.
For more information visit: www.rockoysterfestival.co.uk.
ENDS
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Notes to editors
Rock Oyster Festival is a food, music and arts festival held at Dinham House on the Camel Estuary near Rock, north Cornwall. The festival ran Friday 22 to Sunday 24 June 2012 in its third year.
The Rock Oyster Festival is a not-for-profit festival which last year raised £4,000 for the charities Cornwall Hospice Care and The Army Benevolent Fund, The Soldiers’ Charity.
Media Contacts
Kate Ardron, Barefoot Media | kate@barefootmedia.co.uk | 01208 895089 or 07879 119247
Charlie Anderson, Rock Oyster Festival | charlie@rockoysterfestival.co.uk | 07971684737
