Celebrity chef Rick Stein has found a new food hero' for his next TV series of the same name.

The Westmorland damson looks set to have a starring role when the programme is shown on the BBC this autumn thanks to the best Damson Day to date.

Anne Wilson's Low Farm, in the Lyth Valley, was the glorious setting for the fifth Damson Day celebrations and Rick and his crew were there to capture the event on film. Thanks to several weeks of glorious weather, the damson blossom which has drawn spring visitors for generations was out in all its glory.

So too were the local food entrepreneurs who use the damson fruit in their products. Rick had a basketful of goodies to take back to his famous seafood restaurant in Cornwall.

He was also very impressed by the way local food producers have bounced back since foot-and-mouth. The damson is so "symbolic" of what is good about locally-produced food, he said.

"This has been such a joyous day for me."

Westmorland Damson Association chairman Peter Cartmell said of Rick's visit: "We are extremely grateful that a little event like this is going to go out on national TV."

The damson association was founded after Peter wrote to the Gazette about regenerating the Lyth Valley's famous orchards and was inundated with support.

This is the first time Damson Day has been held at Low Farm. Owner Anne Wilson was over the moon to meet Mr Stein, as were many of the hundreds of visitors to the event, and the local food producers who had their wares on show.

Phil Latham, of The Cheese Shop, in Kendal's indoor market, had made a special cheese topped with damsons. John and Molly Woods, of Bowland Bridge Stores, sold out of their damson vinegar although they did save two bottles for Rick.

Thornby Moor Dairy's Bewcastle' cheese with damsons also went down a storm as did the popular damson gumbo' made by Val Harrison, from Crosthwaite Post Office.

Rick was also presented with a damson and steak pie by Michelle Partington, of Savin Hill Farm, in the Lyth Valley.

Among other Damson Day stallholders were members of the Windfall Co-operative Consortium, an off-shoot of Witherslack Rural Enterprise.

"We are using natural resources to produce a local economy," said Stephanie Fry, a member of the co-operative whose next goal is to open a community kitchen.

Meanwhile, Cowmire Hall Damson Gin was celebrating its success in the 2003 Waitrose small producers' awards. Having made it to the final, the gin will now be assessed for the top prize by Henrietta Green, author of the best-selling Food Lovers Guide to Britain.

April 17, 2003 14:30