Huntly Hairst set to expand with extra kids events and new website
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Huntly Hairst has been successful in its bid for cash from the Connect Local Regional Food Fund.
The celebration of food and farming, which this year takes place on Saturday, September 5 was one of 21 successful applicants who will share £95,550 from the fund which is supported by the Scottish Government.
Hairst is to receive £1500 which will be spent to provide free cookery sessions for children and towards an upgrade of the existing Hairst website.
Laura McNeil who was appointed as Hairst organiser last year said: “We are delighted to receive this financial support which will help us provide more for young visitors to Hairst to help them understand better where their food comes from and how they can create tasty meals and snacks.
“Our internet presence is key in getting visitors to Hairst and we look forward to developing the website, to reflect how Hairst has evolved.”
Hairst’s success in the scheme puts Huntly on the map alongside events the length and breadth of Scotland - from efforts to make Bridge of Allan a food and drink town, a pop up fish market in Lerwick in the far north and a food and drink week in Lanarkshire.
Assessors commended the quality of the Huntly application.
The aim of the fund is to support growth in Scotland’s regional food and drink sector. The maximum award is £5000.
Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon announced the funding and said: “I have been hugely impressed by the standard and range of food and drink initiatives across Scotland.
“Innovative projects not only help local economies grow, they also promote the importance of locally produced food and drink and the environmental benefits of sourcing produce close to home.
“This fund helps collaborative groups create new opportunities for small businesses and producers and promotes Scotland’s world-leading food and drink sector.”
Hairst 2020 will build on the success of previous years and looks to extend the event beyond The Square so that as much of the town centre as possible reaps benefits of the additional footfall on the day.
Planning is under way and invitations are going out to stall holders.
The organisers are looking at developing the World Stovies Championship held as part of Hairst and hope to attract more entries.
