Thanks to the team behind Menai Seafood Festival, pupils from seven Anglesey primary schools have been learning about the marine environment and the types of fish and sea creatures that live in the local shores.

Over 200 children have taken part in the Festival’s education programme aimed at teaching young people about the importance of protecting and enhancing the local coastal environment.

Sponsored by Mostyn Estates, the programme combines marine education, cookery and art. Workshops have been held at the seven primary schools in and around Menai Bridge, which will host this year’s Seafood Festival on the 20th August.

These workshops included sessions by an Anglesey Sea Zoo marine biologist about the impact of littering on the coastal environment and the importance of recycling. The project also featured cookery and tasting sessions run by Dylan’s chefs and Denise Baker of Moel Faban Suppers to learn how to prepare locally caught fish and seafood, and art sessions where the children have been creating fish out of plastic bottles and other recycled materials to be used as decorative bunting on the day of the Festival.

Menai Seafood Festival Committee Chair, David Evans, said: “Education has always been at the heart of the Festival. It was set up back in 2013 to raise awareness of the fantastic fish and seafood available locally, as well as the importance of safeguarding our coastal heritage and environment.

“We’re very glad that local schools have come on board again this year and to have so many primary aged children take part. The children all seem to have really enjoyed the workshops which have involved hands on learning, tasting local seafood and creating fish out of recycled bottles.”

The seven schools that took part were: Beaumaris, Llandegfan, Llanddaniel, Llangoed, Llanfairpwll, Menai Bridge and Pentraeth.

Mrs Gwyneth Môn Hughes, Headteacher at Ysgol Gynradd Beaumaris said: “These workshops have been hugely beneficial for the pupils. They have given them the opportunity to taste and learn about the types of seafood available on their doorstep, and hopefully has encouraged them to become seafood lovers in the future.

“The sessions have also taught them about their local environment and how important it is to recycle and reuse to keep the coastal environment clean.

“What’s great is that the Menai Seafood Festival education programme ties in with the science, geography and art national curriculum so we can continue with what they’ve learned already through additional activities at the school.”

The full line up for this year’s Menai Seafood Festival opening concert has been announced.

Welsh music legend Meic Stevens will be the headline act, performing alongside the Al Lewis Band, Sera and band and the Anglesey Youth Choir.

The concert, held at Prince’s Pier on Friday 19 August, will kick off at 6pm with tickets priced at £15 for adults, £10 concessions. This year’s concert is sponsored by Bangor Mussel Producers Ltd.

On the Saturday, there will be a full day of activities including a seafood and local produce market, street food stalls, seashore safaris, art & crafts, and tours around Bangor University’s brand new School of Ocean Sciences building. There will also be live music throughout the day and Drymbago will be performing on the boatyard in the evening ahead of the Festival firework display over the Menai Strait.

Festival Committee Chair, David Evans said: “The Menai Seafood Festival was set up back in 2012 to celebrate our local coastal heritage, bringing fish and seafood together with marine education, art & culture. Music is a big part of the event, and we see the Festival as an excellent opportunity to showcase Welsh talent.

“We’re honoured to have such a quality line up for our opening concert with well-established Welsh artists joined on stage by budding local singers. It should be a fantastic evening and a great start to what will no doubt be another successful Festival.”

Tickets are available now at Dylan’s Restaurant, Menai Bridge. Tickets for the Saturday can also be bought in advance, priced £3 for adults, £2 concessions, under 12s free.

We will be holding a special evening at Dylan’s Restaurant on March 3rd – a seafood feast with wine and talks from guest speakers. Tickets are priced £60 per person to include 5 courses with wine. Proceeds go towards the Festival. This is a very popular night so don’t miss out – book your tickets now by calling the restaurant on 01248 716714

Once again this year, the family-friendly Festival in Menai Bridge will feature food demonstrations, local produce market, live music and poetry, and interactive activities for children.

In the run up to the event, the Festival’s education programme will see chefs, marine biologists, poets and illustrators going in to six local schools to educate young people about the food, environment and heritage surrounding the coast of north west Wales, culminating in a public display of art around the town ahead of the event.

The Festival is run by a group of local businesses and volunteers, and organised in conjunction with Gorau Môn/Best of Anglesey Food Group, Anglesey Farmers’ Market and the Fisheries Local Action Group.

The group is Chaired by David Evans and Phil Austin.  David, from Dylan’s Restaurant who helped found the event and chaired the first 2 festivals, said: “I’m very happy to be co-chairing the Festival committee again this year. Year on year we’ve seen it grow and it’s fair to say that it’s now established itself as one of the highlights of the north Wales food event calendar.

“In total, the last three Festivals have attracted over 45,000 visitors and we estimate that in excess of £750,000 has been spent directly during the events. Furthermore, local fishermen, farmers and producers have been given the opportunity to showcase their goods and develop their businesses. The Festival has also helped boost the reputation of Menai Bridge as a first class food destination.”

He added: “Menai Seafood Festival is a not for profit event, and we are very lucky to have support from a number of sponsors and a strong team of volunteers giving their time up for free. But our aim has always been to make the event as sustainable as possible for the future. With this in mind and under significant budgetary pressure, we will be charging a nominal entrance fee of £3 for adults and £2 concessions with entry for children free. This will help cover the costs of holding the event and make sure that it can continue to flourish.”

A fundraising dinner will be held at Dylan’s, Menai Bridge on 3 March. Tickets are priced at £60, to include 5 courses plus wine and guest speakers. Tickets are available by phoning the restaurant on 01248 716714.

More information about the Festival will be posted on the website, www.menaiseafoodfestival.com over the coming weeks and months.

The first festival meeting of 2016 will be held on Wednesday 17th february at 6.30 at the Community Centre in Menai Bridge. Anyone interested in becoming involved as a volunteer is welcome to attend the meeting.

It goes without saying that throughout Menai Seafood Festival 2015, visitors will realise how blessed we are to be able to source such high quality local fish and seafood on our shores. However, we would like each and every visitor to be able to take this feeling home with them to share with friends and loved ones. This is why we will be delivering live cooking demonstrations throughout the day from some award winning chefs and seafood experts to inspire our region to get cooking whilst making the most of high quality local produce. Read More