Exotic food, dancing and Buddhist monks will bring a splash of oriental colour to Bradford on Avon at the town’s first Thai festival in June.
The event, organised by Bradford restaurant owner Saisunee Pettitt for June 6, is to raise money for the Little Siam Trust, which supports disadvantaged Thai children at orphanges with food and education opportunities.
It will take place at St Margaret’s Hall from 10am to 6pm, with an opening parade from the participants, and food tents from six different Thai restaurants set up in the car park.
Mrs Pettitt, who moved to England 25 years ago and now owns the Thai Barn in St Margaret’s Street, said: “This is the first time I have done something like this.
I have my family here and children, and I see how children here are looked after so well.
“I wanted to do something to help children from poor backgrounds in Thailand and discovered the Little Siam Trust. They are good because they support children from all over Thailand.
“But the festival will also bring people into Bradford, people taking part will be staying locally and visitors can go to the local shops, some of which have said they will open on a Sunday.”
The festival will have a Thai boxing demonstration and traditional Thai massage, as well as stalls exhibiting Thai crafts.
There will be a performance of traditional folk songs from North East Thailand, and the bar at the hall will serve Thai beer and wines.
Mrs Pettitt, who opened the restaurant in Bridge Street 12 years ago, before moving to new premises, said: “The folk songs will be lively, good for dancing. And there will be some Buddhist monks from Birmingham there all day.
“There are a lot of Thai people in this area and the nearest temple is in Oxford, so people from the Thai community will have a chance to speak to them.”
The Thai Barn is also holding a cookery competition for amateur chefs to test their skills in Thai cuisine. Recipes will be judged at the restaurant and three finalists will cook theirs at the festival.
First prize will be a night for two at the four-star Lancaster Hotel in London, with second prize a meal for two at the famous Blue Elephant restaurant in London, with two Blue Elephant cookbooks.
Third prize will be a £50 voucher for Banthon Oriental Supermarket in Bath.
Author : Will Frampton
Source : http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk
