Food and Drink

Who would have guessed, when the Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival started nine years ago, that cheese would ever be cool?

This popular Dorset festival has always showcased fantastic, locally produced cheeses, breads and meats. But never has good food been so fashionable.

Dorset Blue Vinny Cheese

From Blue Vinny Cheese to Bridport Gormet Pies, Dorset's farmers and producers have been at the forefront of the organic food movement.

Dorset's food producers are so in vogue, they've even attracted celebrity chefs like Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Lesley Waters to the county.

Yet Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival's organiser Jeremy Squire stresses that this is very much a local festival, and puts its success down to community spirit.

"It's something that brings people together, that makes people smile, gives opportunities and raises a few bob for local causes."

The cheese festival was devised to raise the profile of Sturminster cheddar, before the factory was controversially closed in 2000.

Despite the factory's closure, the festival has gone from strength to strength.

It now shows off off over 100 types of cheese - from the mildest creamy cheddar to the strongest blue cheese, with cheeses produced from cows', goats' or even buffalos' milk.

The festival also gives visitors the chance to watch cookery demonstrations, listen to live music and enjoy a glass of cider or ale. All locally produced of course.