“I’d like to congratulate you all on a really excellently organised day yesterday - you managed to include the whole local community and attract hoardes of tourists and the stall holders were doing a thriving trade, success all round! I thought the inclusion of the University School of Ocean Sciences and the supervised Seashore Safaris for the children were particularly inspired - as local residents we live alongside both but rarely get the opportunity to learn more about them.” - Maggie Roberts

“Just to say well done one and all! We had a superb day at the Festival, great atmosphere, great food and great stalls! The fresh food was superb, the cooking demonstrations inspiring and the whole event just buzzzzed. Everybody seemed happy (the weather did help) and we left thinking, we will be back next year. Particular praise to Dylan’s for having the idea and for following it through. It must have taken great effort and drive; fully vindicated in the result. We have had many fine meals at the restaurant and will be back for more!” - Nick and Raid Rushbrooke

”Well done! A fantastic day. Really well organised, lots of great things to see and taste. My children loved the Hearts of Oak (Historical Re-enactment Group) and the school of Ocean Sciences exhibits especially. Well done to you all!” - Rebecca Whitfield

So the Tents & Events guys have arrived ready to set up for tomorrow!! Exciting stuff!! The sea sculptures are out and about, it’s promised to be a dry day and the Menai Seafood Festival merchandise have arrived ready for you to buy tomorrow… Happy days!!

Sunday, 1st September 2013, at the Victoria Hotel, Menai Bridge promises to be a night not to be missed.

The Menai Bridge Seafood festival has an evening packed full of musical talent, showcasing an eclectic mix of music, from a wide range of artists coming together to help raise much needed funds for local community projects.

Playing at the Victoria are:

Straight Jacket Legends
Loosefish
Pressure Drop
The Scapegoats
The Guitarist & The Girl
Hot Dawg Assasins

Entry on the night will be free; all we ask in return is you come along and enjoy yourselves, and hopefully make a donation before the night is over.

Last Tuesday we were proud to host the premiere of a film commissioned by Seafish to shed light on the challenges facing British fishermen today. This illuminating film really helped us understand the struggle many fishermen have to make a living from the sea, but left us feeling optimistic about the future – and made us determined to try and create a more robust link between the local market and our very hard working North Wales fishermen. The Menai Seafood Festival seeks to embrace this challenge and takes place on Saturday 31st August along the waterfront in Menai Bridge.

On the evening an invited audience were treating to a welcoming drinks and a selection of locally sourced seafood canapés.

The first ever Menai Seafood Festival will be held this summer. The Festival will be staged in Menai Bridge on Saturday 31 August and will showcase the variety and quality of seafood available along the shores of the Menai Straits.

The one-day event will also promote the local fishing industry and celebrate the area’s maritime heritage.

As well as demonstration tents and a local produce market, there will be a whole host of activities from presentations about local fisheries and conservation, to kids’ activities, street art and craft, and live music.

One of the Festival organisers, David Evans from Dylan’s Restaurant said: “The purpose of this event is to bring together local fishermen, farmers and producers to display the amazing variety of seafood and other produce that we have on our doorstep. We also want to attract local people and visitors to learn about the rich culture and heritage that surround the Menai Straits. The Festival will be a family event and will be a welcome boost for the local economy.”

Festival sponsors and partners include Isle of Anglesey Council, Bangor University’s School of Ocean Sciences and Magnox. The event has also secured support from the local business community and representatives from Dylan’s Restaurant, Anglesey Sea Zoo, Anglesey Arms and Waitrose among others are heavily involved in organising the day.

Iwan Huws, Head of Tourism for Isle of Anglesey Council said: “The most effective way of drawing new or additional visitors to the Island is through the development of events. These events need to capitalise on the key strengths of the Island which are Anglesey’s natural beauty, outdoor activities and increasingly, its local produce.

“We are very pleased to be able to support this new seafood festival in Menai Bridge as an integral part of destination management and marketing and we have recently adopted a new Events Strategy for Anglesey which emphasises the importance of such events to the local economy.”