May I, on behalf of Malton Community Interest Company (CIC), thank everyone who contributed to this year’s Malton Food Lovers Festival?

The CIC is dependent upon the cooperation and input it receives from both individuals and organisations and we could not run the festival without it. We are hugely grateful to the volunteers, sponsors, stallholders and so many people in the town who gave their support.

Special mention must go to Malton RFC, Rotary, Lions, Soroptomists, Coast & Vale Community Action; Malton & Norton Tidy Up Group and North Yorkshire Police as well as hundreds of individuals who gave freely of their time and goodwill, while Jan Douthwaite once more went above and beyond the call of duty at the Milton Rooms.

The cheerful crew from Ryedale District Council’s Street Scene team kept the town spick and span and the children’s pizza-making only happened thanks to Eileen Lowery and her team from the Old Lodge, who stepped in at the last minute when the original chef could no longer attend. The floury smiles on those children’s faces made it so worthwhile.

Country Warmth, BMW and SuperFast North Yorkshire were our very welcome sponsors and thanks also go to the local press who always give us publicity and provide information to our festival-goers.

Chefs, musicians, schools, clubs, businesses – everyone pulled together to stage and help host Malton’s biggest annual party. The occasional shower could not dampen the enthusiasm and commitment and, as in previous years, there was a true community spirit. It was an honour to work alongside such generous and community-minded people. Thank you to one and all.

Tom Naylor-Leyland, Malton Food Lovers Festival director