Congleton is gearing up to celebrate the mighty Oatcake when the town joins in National Oatcake Day on Thursday 8th August. Visitors to the town centre will be able to take part in a number of oatcake games – as well as trying tasters and picking up vouchers.
The Oatcake fun is being organised by Congleton Business Association with support from Congleton Town Council and aims to support of this regional food, encourage families to come into the town centre and support local businesses.
The fun will run from 10.30 until 2pm and local people will have a chance to join in various games and competitions involving oatcakes – including Oatcake throwing, tossing and hopscotch. Top Nosh of West Street will be cooking up oatcakes in the town centre and Congleton Oatcake shop in Lawton Street will provide oatcakes for the games and vouchers for those taking part.
National Oatcake Day was started in 2010 by Biddulph DJ Terry Bossons in support of the local food – which are a bit like a pancake or a French crepe but made from a batter of oatmeal, flour, milk and water and cooked on a griddle. Historically, oatcakes were popular with workers in the Stoke on Trent’s pottery and mining industry and they’ve been a staple food around Staffordshire for hundreds of years.
Paul Bates, Chairman of the Congleton Business Association which is behind the day said: “Pancake Day is celebrated all over the country. Oatcake Day is our regional variation. It is a popular local food and sold in a number of businesses in Congleton. Last year was the first time we joined in the National Oatcake Day celebrations and it proved really popular – people were disappointed that it finished at 12 so this time we plan to continue until 2pm! We hope it brings more people into the Town Centre which will benefit all the traders.”
The Oatcake day will also be supported by Beartown Radio – a community radio station for Congleton, Sandbach and Alsager.
For more information contact Jackie MacArthur, Congleton Town Council on 01260 270350 ext 2 or Paul Bates, Chairman of the Congleton Business Association on 07896 011565.
