In September 2011 then again in May 2012, around 4,000 people gathered in Abbey Gardens in Waltham Abbey for what was described as a “quirky family day out”. The event was the Great British Cucumber Festival – with competitions, local celebrities and football stars, mascots dressed as cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes, and plenty of fresh produce to sample. There were also children’s arts and crafts, dancers and suggestions for using cucumbers in drinks and salads.
Organised by the Lea Valley Growers Association, major growers and local authorities, the occasion drew attention to the importance of the Lea Valley as a traditional centre for market gardening – and brought together huge local pride in a traditional crop. With renewed emphasis on buying quality British food, it did a lot to raise awareness of the centuries-old Lea Valley growing heritage – celebrating not only cucumbers but all the great produce grown in the area.
Glinwell were one of the proud companies involved in the Lea Valley Growers Association that planned, supported and help to market the 2012 Cue Fest, which won the ‘Grower of the Year’ Consumer Marketing Campaign of the Year in 2013, in recognition of the most innovative marketing campaign of 2012. Also in 2013, the Cue Fest campaign was entered into the re:fresh awards where it won the Collaboration Award.
