From local sparkling wine to nursery plants, crafts and gifts to locally-produced delicious food, floral workshops and expert panels, together with a newly revamped Children’s Area, the Garden and Food Festival run by the Colyton Grammar School PA is a great day out for all the family.

The Festival returns to Colyton Grammar School on Saturday 11th May between 10.00am and 4.00pm and there is no charge for attendance.

In its 16th year, the 2019 Festival will have more than 60 local gardening, food and craft stalls. Taking place throughout the Colyton Grammar School campus in Colyford, there will be garden plants for sale, an indoor market and food and drink to sample and buy.

Each year the Festival gets bigger and better, and this year is no exception. New to this year’s Festival are floral workshops delivered by freelance florist Debbie Eden at

Sidmouth-based Floralities. Debbie will run two hour long sessions, one in the morning at 10.15am and the other in the afternoon at 1.15pm. Both workshops must be pre-booked via stalls@colytongardenfoodfestival.uk and spaces are limited to just 10 places per session.

The first is entitled ‘Minty Metal Floral Designs’ with a cost of £27.50 per person, and the second is called ‘Floral Cupcakes’ and costs £25 (large) or £15 (small) per person. The cost includes flowers and materials. Debbie’s work has appeared in regional and national bridal and lifestyle magazines.

Also new this year is ‘Ask the Gardener’, panel sessions run by two nationally-respected horticulturalists. Rupert Bannister is a fully-qualified RHS tutor and assessor with more than 30 years’ experience in the UK and overseas, who is soon to launch a film showcasing his expertise. Alasdair Moore is Head of Gardens and Estate at the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Both are running two 30-minute panel sessions and visitors are invited to send in their questions in advance to stalls@colytongardenfoodfestival.uk or turn up with them on the day. Attendance at the panel sessions is free-of-charge. Sessions at start promptly at 11.45am and 2.15pm in The Garden Room.

As well as the Garden & Food Festival, the Colyton Grammar School PA raises funds via donations and giving, the Summer Fete, the Festive Evening and Winter Draw, and every other year the Silent Auction and the Big Colyton Art Show. Over the past year funds raised by the PA have allowed the school to purchase a new ceramics kiln, rugby tackle pads and hockey nets.

To find out more about the Garden & Food Festival including a full list of stalls and activities, to book places at the Floral Workshops and submit your Ask The Gardener questions, please contact stalls@colytongardenfoodfestival.ukor visit www.colytongardenfoodfestival.uk