Locals flock to Stamford Garden and Food Fair

Tuesday, 11 May 2021 15:04

Amid the threat of poor weather and uncertainty following recent lockdown restrictions, the Stamford Garden and Food Fair proved irresistible for hundreds of local residents on Sunday.

Despite the threat of rain, a new venue and some uncertainty following the region’s emergence from lockdown, the 2021 Stamford Garden and Food Fair proved to be a massive hit with locals on Sunday. Stamford Welland Academy provided the new location due to restrictions remaining in place at The Meadows in town. Thankfully the rain held off for most of the day and although there was a notable absence of the childrens’ rides, hundreds of people supported the fair with virtually every stall enjoying a thriving trade and plenty to interest both adults and kids alike.

One hopeful local arrived at the fair looking for a special rose plant to match the one they had bought two years previously at the 2019 fair. Despite rigorous searching they had been unable to find anything suitable during the lockdown, however after visiting one of the popular horticultural stalls on Sunday they found exactly what they had been looking for!

So high was the turnout that some stalls found their stock had vanished in the first two hours! Cookie Box of Bourne spoke to Rutland and Stamford Sound, admitting that they had been caught a little by surprise at the sheer volume of people attending. A member of the Stamford St Martins Rotary Club commented that, despite some attractions not making it on the day, it was clear that demand for events such as this was high in the local community with Rutland and Stamford residents evidently keen to get outside with friends and family and enjoy a sense of normality.