In 2022, the first Girvan Tattie Fest was organized to celebrate the Ayrshire Epicurean tattie grown by Girvan Early Growers. The tatties were celebrated through art, poetry, live music, food stalls, and, of course, lots of tattie eating! Collaboration with schools enabled the planting, growth, harvest, and cooking of tattie seeds, with the food being distributed free of charge to the community. The event achieved success, leading to its continuation this year, with a focus on highlighting the exceptional produce and the contributing farms.
The fundamental approach of Tattie Fest was to ensure its free accessibility for all. Go Girvan collaborated with various community groups (Community Garden, Glendoune Community Association, Thriving Places, Girvan & District Attractions, RecoveryAyr, Carrick Arts Group, Tourist Information Point, Girvan Academy, the Men's Shed, and Girvan Town Team) to ensure broad involvement and benefits. Additionally, a partnership with Scotty Brand, responsible for packing and marketing the Tatties, facilitated a poetry competition for young individuals, with prizes donated by Scotty Brand. The entire event remained free, removing financial barriers to participation and allowing everyone to relish the Ayrshire taste. The educational component involving planting, harvesting, and cooking tatties aimed to develop skills and a passion for cultivating food. Generously, Girvan Early Growers provided the seed tatties for planting without charge. This event was truly community-driven, celebrating local offerings while showcasing the significant contributions of Girvan Early Growers to the region. The positive impact on the community, coupled with increased visitors who supported the local economy, validated their endeavors.
This year, funding has been secured to host the event again, and the inclusion of merchandise for sale aims to generate income to ensure the event's future. The intention is to maintain the event's accessibility to all, particularly during the current cost-of-living crisis. The primary challenge remains securing funding, which was accomplished this year, and recruiting sufficient volunteers to ensure the event's success. However, the collaborative approach with community groups enables the sharing of resources, volunteers, and materials to mutually support each other's events.
Find out more about the finalists for the Helping it Happen Awards 2023