The team of volunteers behind Porkstock, a food, drink and music festival that celebrates the best of Norfolk produce whilst raising money for charity, has presented a cheque for £10,173.07 to Nelson’s Journey.

Porkstock 2017 took place at the Norfolk Showground on Saturday 14 October. The now annual event was started by a team of foodie-friends – Ben Handford of Naked Marketing and James Ellis and Tom Ellis of the Original Cottage Company  - and 2017 was its fourth year as a public event. 

During the day around 5,000 people attended the celebration of great food, drink and family fun.  Visitors were able to taste a stunning variety of local produce: from chutneys to cheese; from gin to ginger beer.  The Charlies Norfolk Food Heroes Cookery Demo Stage, sponsored by Kettle Foods, was again a firm favourite with guests with a line up including Charlie Hodson, Porkstock patron, Great British Bake Off favourite Kate Barmby and broadcaster and restaurateur Hardeep Singh Kohli.

More than 1200 tickets were sold for the Porkstock Evening Knees Up, with guests enjoying two live music zones, the Porkstock Gin Palace and scrumptious street food.

 “Having moved Porkstock 2017 to the Norfolk Showground, this year’s event was bigger than ever before,” says James Ellis, co-founder of Porkstock. “It wouldn’t be possible without our organising committee of local business owners who give their time entirely for free, and our amazing army of volunteers who help us bring it to life.”

For the second year, all profits from the event have been donated to Norfolk charity Nelson’s Journey, which supports bereaved children and their families. 

Ben Handford, co-founder of Porkstock adds, “Moving to a bigger venue has meant our operating costs have increased this year, but despite that we’ve exceeded the amount we’ve been able to donate to Nelson’s Journey. This is largely due to the financial support of our sponsors who enable us to deliver a professional and fun event whilst raising money for a fabulous cause.  We’d like to say a massive thank you to our key sponsors Woodforde’s Brewery, Cranswick Country Foods and Hatch Brenner as well as Archer’s Butchers, Signs Express, Norse, The Red Cat Partnership, Plain Speaking PR, Brasteds, Breakwater IT, Farnell Clarke, Feast Norfolk Magazine and Elite Telecom.”

Simon Wright, chief executive of Nelson’s Journey said: “In the last year, we’ve seen a huge growth in demand for our services. The £10,000 raised last year contributed to the salary of a support worker over a six month period, allowing us to support an even greater number of bereaved children in Norfolk. Porkstock’s continued support means that we can continue to work to bring back smiles to children who’ve lost a special person in their lives.”

To find out more about Porkstock 2018 or to register to become a Porkstock volunteer, please visit www.porkstock.co.uk.

23.11.17