Back in August, we first discussed the idea of a Seafood Festival with our local council. After jumping through a few hoops and filling-in a load of forms, we’re now a handful of weeks away from welcoming you all to hopefully something pretty cool and amazing.

However, all of this would have still been a pipe-dream if it weren’t for a few, brave and massively supportive local businesses who’ve stuck their necks and out and hands in pockets. Their financial commitment has basically helped turn an idea into reality and we’re hugely grateful.

In no particular order, we’ll kick off with Ringwood Brewery. To have our local beer maker on board is brilliant (because firstly we all love beer) and (secondly) they’re even producing a limited-edition ale especially for the festival. Check social feeds, give it a name and you might even win ‘beer for a year’ which is pretty handy? Sadly, I can’t enter or cheat. So, good luck.

Other supporters have been our lovely legal friends at Eric Robinson. Apparently, Eric the Owl is being put through his seafood paces to gear up for the event. Eric can now do the 100m butterfly in 30 seconds and do a double back-flip off the 3m springboard, as well as providing sensible and sound legal advice.

The launch of Eric Robinson to the locally community has been fantastic according to Partner, David Lawrence; “We received such a warm welcome when we arrived in Lymington in 2015, and part of our ethos and community initiatives is to support events like as the Seafood Festival.” Top man David!

The Festival has also been supported by Spencers Estate Agents, New Forest Cottages, Carey’s Manor and the Montagu Arms Hotel. Plus, our new friends at the local council. Who have shown a fantastic and level of trust for an event in its first year – Lighthouse Marketing must be doing something right!

Spencers has quickly established itself as a market leader and with three local offices, they are becoming the ‘go to’ whether its sales or lettings. “By investing in the local New Forest Community from food festivals to New Forest Shows and the Seafood Festival it’s great to share and support the great events we have to offer.” Commented Rob Batten.

Our friends at New Forest Cottages continue to help promote our wonderful Forest through a growing portfolio of beautiful places to stay. From mini-breaks to big family get-aways, Trudie and the team are brilliant and will take care of everything, stop by their office on the High St and find out more.

We’re also indebted to have support from Carey’s Manor and the prestigious Montagu Arms. To count two superb regional, award winning hotels as our event sponsors. Plus, having Montagu’s chef Matt Tomkinson in our demo kitchen is clearly a bonus, he’s arguably the best around, using local, seasonal produce and always giving local seafood a top billing….have you sampled his tasting menu? It’s seriously good.

Our demo kitchen is packed full of the most exciting and brilliant local chefs. They’ll be cooking up a seafood storm across the weekend so, its pretty handy that we’ve got Fisher & Paykel taking care of all our equipment needs and none other than Chewton Glen – who’ve just opened a cookery school – to help too. Plus, Chewton is giving away a fantastic charity ‘cooking school’ prize.

We also need to give thanks to our friends at Lymington and Pennington Town Council. Councils get a tough gig, but from the start our idea has landed on open and excited ears only too willing to help. Through their funding our traffic and transport requirements across the weekend will hopefully be a little more seamless……plus we’ve bought a couple of massive amplifiers and sub-woofers for the music stage, but best not tell them that! #joking!