Local producers to create showcase in Somerset

The Orkney Village is returning to Somerset next week following last year's successful attendance at the Royal Bath and West Show.

Fifteen marquees will be set up to create a showcase for some of Orkney's finest food and drink, tourism and manufacturing sectors.

Taking place from Wednesday 30 May to Saturday 2 June, the show will celebrate all aspects of farming and rural life, from the best of British livestock to the latest technological innovations in the farming industry.

The village's third turnout at the show is being organised by Orkney the Brand which is jointly funded by HIE Orkney and Orkney Islands Council.

John Clarke who heads up Orkney the Brand and came up with the village concept, said:  "The marquees will be placed on a large village green with tables and chairs and live Orkney entertainment in the midst of the biggest agricultural show in England. Bringing local producers together to form an Orkney Village has proved highly successful in recent years and we are looking for an even greater number of visitors than the previous years."

HIE Orkney development manager Maureen Shearer said:  "The Orkney Village has been an enjoyable experience for visitors and a productive venue for local companies at major events around Britain. 

"This year, a number of smaller craft businesses will be represented, highlighting the further range of quality products being produced in Orkney."

The firms taking part at the show are Taste of Orkney, Orkney Cheese, Island Smokery, Orkney Fishermen's Society, Orkney Fine Foods, Highland Park, Highland Brewery, Orkney Hand Crafted Furniture, Brit Harcus, Hume Sweet Hume, Essence of Orkney, Sarah Lynch, Kirsteen Stewart, Visit Orkney and Northlink. 

Live entertainment is being provided by one of Orkney's leading folk bands, Hullion. This will be their third year with the Orkney Village at the Royal Bath and West and over the years they have made many good friends, often playing impromptu evening sessions for the locals in nearby pubs after they have finished at the Show.

Star attraction at the village this year will be a crab shucking demonstration. These demonstrations of how to take a whole cooked crab apart, which bits to discard and which to eat, should draw even larger crowds than last year. With their appetites duly whetted, visitors to the village will be able to visit a special Orkney Seafood Bar and choose from a menu featuring crab, lobster, herring, trout and salmon or simply choose from an array of seafood to take and enjoy at home.

John Clarke added:  "Last year saw about 160,000 people come through the show and there were times that we thought we would run out of products to sell but everyone had such a great time we didn't really notice how tired we were until it closed.  This year we are taking even more products and, just as importantly, more staff to give exhibitors a chance for the occasional break."