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Member of Parliament for Amber Valley

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Derbyshire Food Fair

This week I welcomed a selection of Derbyshire’s food and drink producers to the Houses of Parliament to celebrate and promote local food and drink to some of our country’s top decision-makers.

Visitors included the Prime Minister, David Cameron, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, and the Speaker of the House, John Bercow.

There were 14 Derbyshire producers here with a vast array of produce, including cheese, wine, ice cream, pork pies and Amber Valley’s own Thorntons Chocolates. Amber Valley residents, Wendy Moore, of Fresh Basil the Deli and Eaterie, and Mike Holling, Birds the Confectioners, were also in attendance representing their businesses.

The Prime Minister said: “I was delighted to attend Derbyshire Food and Drinks Fair in the Houses of Parliament, which was an excellent way to raise the profile of the region and boost tourism. Derbyshire is home to many well-known brands, such as Chatsworth and Thorntons, as well as some local producers like Hartington Creamery and Bluebell Dairy, who all provide quality local food and drink which I thoroughly enjoyed sampling. Well done to all the local MPs who organised the event and thanks to all the producers for coming down to showcase the very best of British.”

Our county was able to show to MPs from all over the country what Derbyshire has to offer. This event was an excellent way of raising awareness of the concerns of local food and drink producers in an historic setting.

Not only did the event celebrate the food and drink of Derbyshire but it also promoted the excellent tourist attractions of our county. The local tourist board and Visit England were there to highlight the sites and attractions that make our county a fantastic place to visit.

I am pleased that Derbyshire Day proved to be such a great success and thank everybody involved in the day.

Prime Minister David Cameron pictured with Wendy Moore of Fresh Basil, Belper
Prime Minister David Cameron pictured with Wendy Moore of Fresh Basil, Belper
Prime Minister David Cameron and Thorntons members of staff.
Prime Minister David Cameron and Thorntons members of staff.
I was delighted to welcome Karen Wain and Mike Holling of Birds to the food fair.
I was delighted to welcome Karen Wain and Mike Holling of Birds to the food fair.