Nantwich Food Festival is holding the first of this year's Volunteer evenings on 5th April 2022 - calling for new volunteers to hear more about helping to make this year's event safe and enjoyable for all.

The festival, less than five miles from Crewe, is the largest free food festival in the UK - run entirely by volunteers

This year it takes place between Friday 2nd and Sunday 4th September.

After the festival had to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to coronavirus restrictions, the organisers are hoping that more community-spirited people will join them to make this event for 2022.

Each year the festival showcases high quality stallholders, provides a diverse range of events and attractions, and attracts visitor numbers of 40,000 across the three day weekend.

Volunteer Coordinator Ana Martins stated: "The Nantwich Food Festival relies on our fantastic band of Volunteers to produce an amazing event.

"We are working closely with Cheshire East Council, and the Public Health Department to ensure that all our Covid systems maintain the safety of visitors, exhibitors and volunteers, and this means we need even more local people than usual to get involved so that everything goes to plan.

"The festival is a great opportunity to join our friendly community, do something for Nantwich, make new friends, and have great fun at the same time.

"Festival volunteering involves no set hours or requirements, so people can help over the festival weekend for just two hours, all day, or even the whole weekend.

"New and existing volunteers will be supported in whatever role they opt for, and training will be provided free of charge.

"We have volunteers of all ages and abilities, so anyone is welcome to join us.

"The volunteer evening will be held at the Leopard Inn, London Road - on Tuesday 5th April at 7 pm. Light refreshments will be provided - the event will be held outdoors, with cover in case of wet weather.

"Existing volunteers will be warmly welcomed, some of whom have volunteered for many years - truly the backbone of the Festival.

"Anyone newly interested in volunteering is invited, and will be certain of a friendly welcome and an interesting evening. The Festival Directors and other committee members, all of whom are volunteers, will be on hand to answer queries."

Many volunteer roles exist over the Festival weekend, from welcoming members of the public, providing information and advice to them, handing out festival literature - in addition to ensuring that public areas are kept clean and tidy.

Festival volunteers also work closely with over 200 exhibitors who fill the marquees and town centre.

The popular celebrity and local chef demonstrations in the Civic Hall need to be safely organised, whilst ensuring the smooth running of the music stages and children's entertainment are also important and key tasks; the list of possible volunteering options is almost endless.

Ana added: "In addition to the above weekend volunteering, there are a few roles that need input throughout the year - all details of these are available at the volunteer evening or by email.

"The most pressing of these is the need for a new, keen volunteer to champion the important issue of recycling.

"If you have a little spare time and want to be a part of the success of Nantwich Food Festival, you are most welcome to hear more about helping to make our town the special place that it is. Just come along to the volunteer open evening - there is no obligation at all to sign up."

If you would like further information about volunteering, just email Ana at [email protected].

Around 100 unpaid, dedicated volunteers keep the festival running each year. It generates an estimated £2m each year for the local economy.

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