IT’S terrific 10 for the Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival which has raised a magnificent £10,000 for charity after a landmark anniversary event around Weymouth Harbour.

Festival representatives presented the event’s nominated charity, The Fishermen’s Mission, a cheque for £10,000.

The celebration saw organisers, sponsors and key participants gather to toast the 10th year and also present awards to winners of the Sustainability Awards.

Celebrating 10 years, the festival took place over the weekend of July 8-9 and attracted more than 70,000 people, according to organisers – the biggest yet.

The festival had an ambitious programme of events that saw stall-holders providing mouth-watering selections of fish dishes, a demo kitchen and social kitchen from Fisher & Paykel, a Seafish demo stage, HMS Severn in the harbour, crowds entertained by Kermiz le cirque du platzak, and the first ever live and interactive ‘talking shop’ with top TV personalities.

Sara Hick, UK Commercial Director of Champagne Pommery said: “We are delighted to be the headline sponsor of this exceptional festival, the tenth year really was incredibly special.”

“The sustainability message is such an important one and therefore it is fantastic to honour those striving so hard. To see such a great amount of money raised for The Fishermen’s Mission is tremendous as they are the vital port of call for Fishermen and their families.” Money was raised for The Fishermen’s Mission from the tours on HMS Severn, festival raffle tickets sales, ‘Albert the Fisherman Merchandise’ and with help from the stand holders and demonstration collections.

Nick O’Neil, Mission Area Officer for the Fishermen’s Mission said: “We cannot thank the Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival enough for their continued support.”

This year’s anniversary event was the biggest festival to date with so many new elements.

“Welcoming HMS Severn was the real cherry on the cake and the crew were also so instrumental in providing thrilling tours and raising further funds for The Fishermen’s Mission.”

Now in their third year, the Sustainability Awards continue to reward exhibitors who use regional and responsibly-sourced seafood in line with the Festival’s ethos of educating the public to eat local seafood and therefore support local fishermen.

Judges this year included chef Matt Budden and the UK’s Project Director from Blue Marine Foundation, Tim Glover.

Gold award winner Joanne Haze, owner The Pickled Pig, said: “Being at the festival in the summer and receiving gold in the sustainability awards has propelled our business. We took three wedding bookings over the festival weekend and so many enquiries. We are over the moon.”

Sustainability Award winners:
The Pickled Pig – Gold
Dorset Shellfish – Silver
From Shore to Door – Bronze
The Crab House – Highly Commended
Golden Scallops - Highly Commended
Catch - Highly Commended