As someone who was closely involved with the former Exmoor Food Festival and the Exmoor Food Fairs held at Porlock, I welcomed the Free Press report last week on the return of interest in the extensive range of quality food and drinks that is produced on and around Exmoor.

Albeit I am a little underwhelmed by the title of the programme – Eat Exmoor. As a celebration of the food that is produced I would have thought that a somewhat more inspirational name could have been found.

“Gourmet Exmoor” and “Quality Exmoor” are two possibilities that come to mind to attract attention.

Sadly, the original format disappeared due to a lack of the necessary funds in the appropriate grants to continue to finance the on-going festival professionally for more than two or three years or so.

It was then left to the tourist associations of Porlock and Lynton and Lynmouth to continue with the promotions through weekend events and fairs.

It will be interesting to see exactly how it is proposed to further the promotion this time, whether it be an on-going promotion or a specific food festival as before.

Hopefully, we are led to believe with the little detailed information available, that this will be more continuous this time.

It certainly has the interest of the tourists, whom we so badly need on Exmoor - indeed some visitors started planning their visits around the annual food fair in Porlock.

I sincerely hope that there will be sufficient on-going funds to allow these worthwhile aspirations to become inspirations producing a long-term benefit this time.    

A scheme of this nature needs to succeed - closing the college farm does not help!

Roger Barbee, Bossington Lane, Porlock.