A PLAN to put 'market' back into a historic market town has been hailed a "resounding success".

Organisers said the long-awaited return of the Shipston Food Festival saw stall holders selling out and a huge sum raised for charity after the event took place last weekend.

Shipston town centre was filled with thousands of visitors as they welcomed back the one-day festival on Sunday (September 10).

The event hosted by the Stour Valley Lions raised £4,500 which will be donated to local good causes, and the additional  £522 from bucket collections will go to the Lions Club of Morocco to support victims of the recent Moroccan Earthquake. 

Evesham Journal: Members from Stour Valley Lions with their bucket collection.Members from Stour Valley Lions with their bucket collection. (Image: Stour Valley Lions)

Sue Bains, Lions’ treasurer, said the event's success was all thanks to its supporters and those who came out on the day despite the light showers.

"It was a resounding success, providing around 30 stalls of quality food and drink for the thousands of visitors who attended across the day," she said.

"The Food Festival couldn’t have happened without help from a number of supporters. 

Evesham Journal: Food being cooked from one of the market stalls.Food being cooked from one of the market stalls. (Image: Stour Valley Lions)

"The Stour Valley Lions would like to give thanks to Stratford on Avon District Council for the Covid Recovery Grant, which enabled us to get started on the 7-month planning process, all the local businesses who supported us with Raffle Prizes - the Coop, The Bower House,  The George Townhouse, The Cotswold Distillery, The Lazy Pug and Shipston Tesco.

"Also, all the businesses who had faith in us and committed to signing up for a stall, to all local businesses who opened up on the day and made the event even better.

Evesham Journal: Birdseye view of the festival.Birdseye view of the festival. (Image: Stour Valley Lions)

"Finally, to the people of Shipston who flocked to the town centre to support the event!

"Some stalls even sold out before the end, with the occasional warm shower failing to diminish the festival mood."

The Town Crier Marion Lowe and Councillor Jo Barker officially opened the event.

The festival was an annual event until 2017, when it became "increasingly difficult," and then Covid caused another pause. 

However, this year, the Stour Valley Lions received an Event Support Grant from Stratford Town Council, which has enabled them to revive the market.