Despite the heatwave conditions, there was a great turn-out for the 2018 Lavender, Herb and Chilli Festival held over the weekend of January 6 and 7 at Crystal Brook Gardens and Lavender Farm at Laggan.
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The 2018 Lavender, Herb and Chilli Festival was officially opened by Mary Bonet (Landcare coordinator Goulburn – Yass).
Mary spoke about the importance of small farms being developed in environmentally friendly and sustainable ways.
She praised Crystal Brook Gardens and Lavender Farm as an example of what can be achieved by land owners with long term vision, dedication to sustainable farming practices and perseverance.
The lavender was in full bloom and visitors were treated to the sensory delights of billowing blooms of lavender blossom and the wonderful scents of lavender distillation.
There were plenty of herbs and chilli plants for sale, courtesy of Clive and Di Larkman, of Renaissance Herbs. Popular items included the Aji Yellow chilli, the Japanese Yatsufusa chilli and the hot Thai chilli.
Bev Hatch, local metal worker and sculptor, who is a regular at the Laggan Village Markets, said he had a lot of interest in his wares.
He said: “Events like this often lead to a lot of commission work for me. People see my work on display, get inspired and get ideas.”
Another festival participant who generated a lot of interest was Amber Barber, aka “The Tea Lady” form tea company atteatude.
Amber is an Australian Tea Master and had an amazing range of specialty teas on offer.
She gave some really informative and well attended presentations on tea over the course of the weekend, and attendees were able to sample a range of delicious teas.
Other presentations and items on offer over the weekend included Cooking with Clive by Clive Larkman, caring for domestic poultry (chickens, ducks and guineafowl) by Danny Benn, producing food in small spaces by Brian Faulkner, Essential Oils, Holistic Healing and massage by Elaine Delaney and Ambar Culhane, and specialty imported ceramics by Marg Anderson and Jan Pont of Paradiso Ceramics.
And of course there was plenty of food and drink on offer, accompanied by musical performances by popular trio Michael Baker, Garth Prentice and Keva Abotomey, and Michael Delaney.