The chairman of Stone Food & Drink Festival, Richard Stevens, has announced his retirement from the role after 20 years at the helm of the popular event.
Richard was among the festival’s founding committee – a group of locals who, back in 2004, decided to set up a food festival to help support Stone’s beautiful Georgian High Street. The first festival took place in 2005 and, from humble beginnings, has grown into one of the Midlands’ best-known foodie events.
Run as a not-for-profit CIC (Community Interest Company), the aim of the festival has always been to promote Stone as a foodie destination and help put Staffordshire on the food & drink map. Ed Stant, well known in town for his role in Stone Traders’ Group, will join the festival board alongside existing directors Angela Arnold, Catherine Haigh and Charlotte Eglington, all of whom have been involved in the running of the event for a number of years. Richard says:
“The Stone Food & Drink Festival has been a huge part of my life for the past 20 years but now, at the age of 81, I feel it is time to retire. My wife Janet, who has been asking me for the past 10 years when I’m going to retire, will be delighted!
“Joking aside, I feel that the festival is in safe hands going forward and that the new board of directors shares the same passion for the town and making the event a success as I do. I’m delighted to be asked by the new team to become Festival President and look forward seeing what they have in store for the 2025 event.”
The 2025 festival is set to take place on 9th, 10th & 11th May and will once again be held at Westbridge Park. Town centre businesses will be invited to get involved in the festivities during the run-up to the big weekend by hosting their own events and special offers. Speaking for the new board, Ed Stant says:
“We are honoured to be entrusted with the legacy that Richard and our preceding directors have established over the years. While Richard will be missed in the day-to-day organisation of the event, we will no doubt draw on his vast knowledge and experience as we take over the festival in the coming months. We wish Richard all the very best in his retirement and look forward to welcoming him to next year’s Festival as our new President.”
“As a team, we have some exciting new ideas that we are keen to introduce to give the festival an even more vibrant visitor experience and look forward sharing these over the coming months.”
The 2025 Stone Food & Drink Festival will take place on Westbridge Park on 9th, 10th & 11th May. Follow the festival social media accounts and visit its website for the latest news www.stonefooddrink.org.uk
Pictured: Angela Arnold, Charlotte Eglington, Richard Stevens, Ed Stant & Catherine Haigh
