STAFF at a leading North East’s hotel have shown they can purl like pearls – ahead of one of the venue’s most celebrated events.
The Oyster Festival at Hardwick Hall Hotel near Sedgefield is a sell-out every year, thanks to its programme of top entertainment, free flowing drinks and top level seafood – including a vast array of the much-loved mollusc.
Along with supporting the charity, Angel Trust, this time round the event – taking place on 25 September – is also helping to turn a spotlight on The Wild Oyster Project:Tyne and Wear, which is aiming to bring European native oysters back to the region’s waters. Guests at this year’s Oyster Festival will be able to find out more, adopt their own oyster and discover the vital work this project is carrying out.
And one of the many oysters which will be available is one created by Helen Robson, the hotel’s Rib Room restaurant supervisor, especially for the event.
Helen Attley, sales and events manager at the hotel, revealed that the team had showcased their hidden talents. “We put out the call and are absolutely thrilled with the oyster that Helen has created,” she said. “Hopefully it will get pride of place at what is shaping up to be one of our best Oyster Festivals to date.”
The festival has lined up one of its most exciting programmes of entertainment, headlined by Scouting For Girls And supported by Britain’s Got Talent comedian, Cal Halbert, Irish band the Emerald Thieves and Just Tina – an electric tribute to Tina Turner. The JJ Galway Band will be adding to the Irish flavour, with DJ Brandon Block taking to the decks for the daytime event, which is compered by Steve Walls.
Only a handful of tickets for the Oyster Festival remain and are £220 plus VAT per person. For further information or to book email [email protected] or call 01740 620253.
The efforts are part of The Wild Oysters Project: Tyne and Wear, a five-year restoration and conservation project, currently funded by the Stronger Shores Partnership and led by South Tyneside Council, with funding from DEFRA as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes (FCIP) which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate.
