Our local branch, or convivium - Slow Food Ludlow Marches - was set up in 2002 and welcomes more members! We cover south, south-west and east Shropshire, and the eastern/border parts of Powys, though originally we covered a much wider area before convivia were set up in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shrewsbury. A wide range of activities have already taken place and many more are planned. Most events are also open to non-members, though Slow Foood members benefit from reduced prices at most events.

A summary of our main activities:

Events, such as meals with a special theme, tastings, visits to places such as vineyards, farms and special markets, taste workshops, talks and demonstrations. As well as enjoying ourselves, we learn a lot. We also have stands at various local food-related events to provide information about the Slow Food movement. Info about past and future events

Local food and drink products - threatened or otherwise: We are fortunate to live in an area which still contains many independent food and drink producers who are totally committed to quality. The vast majority of these are small firms - sometimes one-man bands - whose products have not suffered from the industrialisation and homogenisation that has affected so many 'traditional' food and drink products, not just in Britain but throughout the world. Our aim is to identify and help the survival of these producers of food and drink that is not only not messed about with, but also tastes better! Read about the Ark and Presidia

Education: locally, we are developing links with local schools, in conjunction with others, to encourage development of school gardens (with the produce being used for school dinners), and to encourage the use of local produce, cooked on the premises - to reduce food miles and to provide a tastier and healthier alternative to industrially-roduced and reheated meals.

Eating places and food shops: Soon we intend to produce information on recommended (suitably 'Slow') restaurants, pubs and food shops - both for general information for visitors and locals, and hopefully as a way of maintaining and improving standards.

Slow Food dinner at Burwarton

Artisan Somerset Cheddar - Taste Workshop in the Slow Food marquee at Ludlow Marches Food & Drink Festival. Cheese maker Richard Calver of Westcombe Dairy

Page updated 9/3/08