Lichfield came alive on Saturday 23 August for the opening day of the Lichfield Food & Drink Festival (23–25 August). This year the event was organised by Lichfield District Council. From early morning set-up to the last visitors of the evening, the city centre was buzzing with energy, flavour and community spirit.
This year also marked a milestone for Lichfield Radio. For the first time the station had a physical presence in the city. Based inside The Hub at St Mary’s, I was welcomed by Tracey, Louise and Sophie and the wider Hub team, who provided a warm introduction to festival life in the city centre.
A City Wakes Up
The morning began with stallholders arriving from across the country as well as familiar local businesses and market regulars. Vans were unloaded, displays built and the Market Square quickly filled with colour. Lichfield Radio’s programme director Ruth Redgate was spotted calmly helping stallholders in her role as a festival volunteer while also preparing her own cookery demonstration for the Festival Flavour Stage.
Her mid-morning demo at The Hub showed her trademark mix of practical know-how and humour, keeping visitors engaged and entertained. Later, Jing from Bloom Cakery and Wendy from Hill Start Nutrition entertained The Hub with more cookery demonstrations and healthy eating/lifestyle advice.
Radio on the Ground
The Lichfield Radio team proudly wore their new T-shirts as they greeted festival-goers throughout the day. Alongside Tracey and Ruth, Sarah from the Lichfield Tuneless Choir and Harrison from Burton Radio joined in to spread the word. Both Sarah and Harrison will soon host their own shows on Lichfield Radio and began warming up by chatting with visitors, potential presenters and local businesses.
The response was overwhelmingly positive. Flyers were eagerly picked up, conversations were full of enthusiasm, and even businesses approached the team directly to ask how they could sponsor the station. There was no mention of cost, just genuine excitement about being part of it.
A Towering Highlight – Tower Tours at The Hub at St. Mary’s
At lunchtime I joined the Lichfield Tower Tour at The Hub. This 40-minute guided climb up the spire of St Mary’s was led by Tom, an informative and witty guide who also happens to be an actor with a stint on Eastenders. Visitors saw the bells, the ringing chamber and historic photographs on the walls before reaching the summit for breathtaking views of the city in every direction.
For me the experience was especially moving. I was born in Lichfield and my family has lived and worked in Longdon, Rugeley and Lichfield for generations. Yet I had never climbed St. Mary’s spire before. Standing at the top and looking out over my birthplace was a genuinely emotional moment and felt like I had finally found my place after years of working elsewhere.
Tickets for the tour (£15 adults, £10 young people aged 10–19) are excellent value. It is not one for those who dislike heights but it is safe, well organised and the views are unforgettable. The guests ranged from 40-70 years old, and everyone managed the climb without any difficulty.
Afternoon Buzz
By mid-afternoon the festival was in full swing. The city centre filled with the aroma of sizzling food, music drifted through the streets, and happy visitors (and their pets) sampled, shopped and explored. Ruth returned for her 2pm session on pickling, again drawing an eager crowd. Harrison and I went back outside to find an even busier city with conversations continuing with potential hosts and supporters.
Eventually I grabbed a wrap and joined the picnicking crowds outside the cathedral. The atmosphere was relaxed, cheerful and thoroughly Lichfield.
Closing the Day
As the day wound down Ruth was still going strong, fuelled only by an emergency vegan chew from my bag, while I helped her bring out jars for a stall-holder ready for Sunday’s sessions. Even at the end of the day the traffic co-ordinators and council team were still smiling, as bright-eyed and bushy tailed as they had been first thing in the morning.
After more than 15,000 steps I headed home tired but inspired. Day one of the Lichfield Food & Drink Festival was a triumph and with two more days still to come the city has plenty more flavour, fun and community spirit ahead. Special thanks go to Tracey, Louise, Sophie and the Hub team for making us feel so welcome throughout the day.
Michael’s Menswear is Lichfield Radio’s Official News Sponsor