Narberth Food Festival has hit back at the town council’s criticism of not officially inviting the Mayor to this year’s event.

At this month’s meeting of the council, Clr. Mrs. Elizabeth Rogers said she had not been invited officially to the two-day food extravaganza, but had paid herself to go along wearing the chain of office, while Clr. Mrs. Sue Rees, a past Mayor herself, described the incident as an ‘insult to the town’ and a ‘slap in the face.’

As a result, the council wrote to the festival committee about the matter.

Now, a response, due to be considered at their next meeting on Tuesday, has been sent to the council and us by Huw Jones, chair of the committee.

Mr. Jones explained that Narberth Food Festival, now in its 17th year, is an independent event run entirely by volunteers, but benefits from the support - moral, active and financial - of many individuals, businesses, voluntary organisations and public bodies.

“It would be invidious to single out any one of these and festival policy has always been not to have official openings,” said Mr. Jones. “Similarly, no official invitations are sent out, though representatives from all organisations are welcome to attend the festival.”

He continued: “When - only once, I think - the mayors of Narberth and Ludlow attended in their official capacity, this was to publicise the twinning connection between the two towns.

“I fully agree with your comment that Narberth Food Festival is a prestigious event for the town which brings significant economic benefit. A survey financed by Welsh Government found that 58 per cent of visitors came from outside the county and 19 per cent from outside Wales. It also found that average visitor spend at the festival, where many of the stallholders are local businesses, was over £20. Non Wales-based visitors spent an additional £53 per visitor in the area – on such things as accommodation, shopping and eating. Many local shops experience an increase of business during the festival weekend and a record number were open on Sunday this year. The festival is also regularly featured in UK-wide publications, raising the profile of the town at the same time as making the festival a destination event.”

Mr. Jones concluded: “Narberth Food Festival committee look forward to working with the town council to ensure that the festival continues to bring economic benefit to the town and the county.”