30,000 attend inaugural bread festival at Castle Ward estate

30,000 attend inaugural bread festival at Castle Ward estate

13 June 2012

ALMOST 30,000 people attended the recent Bread Festival at the Castle Ward estate.

The event, organised by Down Council and the National Trust, was the finale of the Lough Lively festival, a celebration of live around Strangford Lough.

Huge crowds enjoyed the global destinations of the bread making world which were located on the classic lawn, stableyard, Murphy’s yard and the working farmyard by the Lough side.

Over 50 food exhibitors were on show and there were demonstrations from many master craftsmen. Carolyn Stewart and Julian Simmons, from U105, entertained the crowds and the Martello Jazz Band also took to the stage for almost three hours.

There was a parachute display by the Wild Geese and Finbarr Keaveney had the crowds dancing and singing on the classic lawn.

Barbara Muhly, the Trust’s Castle Ward and South Down Manager said it was the most successful National Trust event in Northern Ireland.

“We were delighted to welcome so many visitors to Castle Ward and look forward to continuing the partnership with Down District Council and the International Bread Festival in 2013,” she said.

Ann Moreland, Down Council’s Events Development Officer said the council was thrilled with the attendance at the International Bread Festival.

“It was the perfect opportunity for everyone to explore the Strangford Lough tourism destination and hopefully we will see lots of the visitors returning to Castle Ward and the surrounding area again,” she said.

“We look forward to continuing our partnership with Castle Ward for 2013 and another International Bread Festival.”

The event was brought to a close with the lighting of  the Jubilee Beacon by Tom

and Henry Herbert as the countdown to 10.02 arrived the splendid beacon signalled

the finale of the day and joined Castle Ward to the rest of the United Kingdom as part of the Beacon Ceremonies to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.