Unveiling the Mysteries of Mistley
On Saturday 1st July Mistley Village came together for its first ever trail, food, and history event – and it didn’t disappoint.
The Mysteries of Mistley united local organisations and uncovered the hidden gems of the village.
“From the beginning, the event has been centred on community,” says EDME technical director and event instigator Renata Faldo. “The idea was for organisations to join together to showcase the best of Mistley and give trail blazers something to discover, celebrate, and be proud of.”
“On the day, there was a real buzz about the village. From where I was stationed, a constant stream of people were coming to EDME to get their collector card, map, and stamp; find out more about our site’s history, processes, and ingredients; and buy the ever-popular Wooster’s Bakery malt loaves and artisan breads.”
Positive impact on local community
Other organisations felt the positive impact too. With Tea at The Quay, Cooper’s Gallery, Acorn Village, Mistley Towers, The Station Hair and Beauty, Mistley Cricket Club and Mistley RUFC all welcoming trail-goers through the doors.
There were talks by Manningtree Museum and Local History Group at the Towers; a stall showcasing the 140 year history of EDME Ingredients and its processes; an array of art by local artists at Cooper’s Gallery; a bread tasting platter from Tea at The Quay; a host of have-a-go activities at the event’s official charity, Acorn Village.
Games were ready to watch at Mistley Cricket Club; a sell-out stall of malt loaves by Wooster’s Bakery using EDME Ingredients; The Station Hair and Beauty with Heidi the Station Wagon, a live music set in the garden, and Beleaf Plants selling a great array of houseplants; a visit to 800 year old oak tree, Old Knobbley; and to finish off the route, a barbeque, drinks, and games at Mistley RUFC.
“I can’t thank the organisations enough for their involvement,” says Renata. “The Manningtree Rotary Club in particular for their support with the setup of the day.”
“It’s great to see the positive impact the event has had on Mistley,” Renata adds. “It’s strengthened relationships in the community, encouraged people from further afield to visit, and supported the local economy.”
“As a result of the event’s success, we’d like to continue building momentum and bring it back next year - watch this space.”
If you enjoyed this year’s event, Acorn Village would be grateful for any donations to go toward helping adults with learning disabilities: https://checkout.justgiving.com/c/516233
