Wakefield Rhubarb Festival..2014

Hi Sandra ...

thanks for info. :o)

Hi Terra..it's a shame we can't go,as we have never been before..it looks like a good day out,just checked their website..maybe next year we can make it..and nice of Ralph to let me know..:o)

My family all love Rhubarb! I've found a patch here too...we'll see how good it turns out to be!

So do we,Karen,but haven't enough space to grow some..shame it's a tad too far for you to visit ! :o)

Rhubarb puts my teeth on edge......

it could be remembering being given a stick and a twist of sugar.....then my friend and I would sit among the fruit bushes.....no wonder I hated the dentist :0)

Isn't it early for a rhubarb festival! Ours isn't really ready to pick, even a stick or two. What do they do at the festival? I'd love to go but its too far.
Pamg, put a pinch of bicarbonate of soda into the cooked rhubarb - kills a lot of the acidity and doesn't affect the flavour.

I think it does that with most of us,Pam,but I don't mind it so much if it's sweet enough :o_

Sue,..This area of Wakefield is known as the Rhubarb Triangle,and for it's early forced Rhubarb.which covers about 9 square miles.This event is held every February,and there are also guided tours round the growing areas,and the huge poly tents in which it is forced in complete darkness..It has had it's Yorkshire status protected by the European courts..
As I have never been to one of the festivals,I only know there are various chefs having their own stands,cooking different ways with Rhubarb,and other events ..you may be interested in googling it,to read of it's history etc..very interesting..

I've tried growing it without much success .
Pam , a stick of rhubarb and a poke of sugar was a bit of a luxury , and cheaper that kayli ( don't know how to spell that) .
Bloomer I think that it became so popular to grow , along with marrows , on the allotments that the miners had , a distraction from the pit .

You are probably right,Driad..It's a huge business these days..nice we have something local,instead of foreign Imports..

The festival sounds wonderful for a rhubarb addict like me! What a pity you can't go Sandra - another year perhaps.

I didn't even know they had an annual festival,Sue,till I looked it up..It would be nice to look around..although the payable guided tour,which you have to book in advance, warns you to go prepared in warm clothing ,etc..as it takes quite a while going round the outdoor areas..I think I would just go to the Festival..

So would I- Free crumble, sample pie and lots of new ideas - goody! If anybody does go, save us some recipes!

I remember seeing a giant forcing shed in Wakefield where they said you could hear the rhubarb growing which I find very hard to believe.

I believe it to be true,Steve..apparently it's like a crackling noise to be heard when it's pitch dark.The only light that is allowed is a candle,when they go in to check.

Thanks for letting us know about this Sandra, I'd completely forgotten about it.
That settles where we're going for a bucket of fresh air, this weekend :)

Good thinking,Waddy..you can fill your bucket with Rhubarb to bring home :o)

What a good idea...Rhubarb crumble and cream..Mmmm..

If anybody sees me this spring out in the dark with my ear to the ground I'll be listening out for the rhubarb...

Lol! Stera, the image is wonderful!
But, I have to tell you my OH is a 'Wakie' lad and he knew a lot of people who worked in the 'Rubub' fields and he assures me that in the sheds, you CAN actually hear it grow and I've no reason to disbelieve him.