our team

David Chantler - Chair
First volunteered at the 2002 Festival, shortly after moving to the area as Chief Officer of the then newly formed West Mercia Probation Area. He has been involved with a variety of voluntary and Third Sector organisations and was in 2014 awarded the OBE In recognition of reducing offending through innovative working between the statutory and voluntary sectors. David, who subsequently took early retirement, became Chair of Ludlow Food Festival in 2021, having previously been vice Chair for a number of years. He is committed to maintaining its values as a volunteer led organisation prioritising, quality, fairness for producers and consumers and a strong rural economy.

As an Amuse Bouche, David once led a strike of extras on Ken Russell’s film” Tommy”, settling for a free concert by The Who and an extra piece of chicken in the meal bag, demonstrating his very long-standing commitment to both Food and Fairness!

 

Colin Lloyd - Vice Chair
Colin became involved with the Festival many years ago, helping with the stewarding, set up and take down of the events. He really enjoys the buzz and the willing cheerfulness of the many people who work to make each event succeed. Before working in the Civil Service he spent his time in catering. Colin grew up in a Ludlow pub and went to Birmingham College of Food. After working for a local food producer, he spent over twenty years running a pub here in Ludlow. He brings his background in business and administration plus a love of Ludlow to the Festival.

 

Margaret Appleton - Director
Margaret became involved with Festival through volunteering in a variety of roles. For several years she has led on the route planning for the Magnalonga, combining her love of walking with her interest in food, where it comes from and how it is produced. She studied for a City & Guilds cookery qualification and has taught cookery in various community settings, combining this with her main work in local government. Now she is "retired" and has more time she welcomed the opportunity to support the Ludlow Food Festival, her adoptive home town of Ludlow and the wider Marches area. Margaret sometimes cooks for a local lunch club that uses donated food that might otherwise go to waste.

 

Max Bufton - Director
Max lives in Ludlow and first became involved with the Festival in 2014 as a student volunteer. Over the past 10 years he has been helping with the set-up for the weekend events and taking on the management of specific areas to make sure the event runs smoothly over the weekend. With his love for Ludlow Food Festival he was delighted to be asked to become a Director in 2020 and hopes with his experience he has a lot to offer to the Festival and its events.

 

Michael Moore - Director
Joined the Festival Team as Finance Director in August 2019, coming to the role as an accountant at Whittingham Riddell, in Ludlow, he has the necessary ability to count. Michael has a long history of working with food producers and the hospitality industry, having run stands at a number of festivals, having many clients in the sector and, in his more youthful days, of organising large events for Shropshire Young Farmers. Michael is a keen cook, with a particular passion for cooking with fire. His two young children are undergoing intensive training to become Junior Bake Off champions in the future and, maybe, of becoming chefs, like their Mother, when they are older.

 

Nick Mundy - Director
Nick practised as a solicitor and licensed conveyancer for many years before his retirement in 2012 with particular experience in property and contract law. An enthusiastic cook, he has enjoyed a lifetime passion for good locally sourced food and believes strongly in supporting our farmers and producers as well as Ludlow trade and businesses. He has been a supporter of Ludlow Food Festival for many years and joined the Festival’s Team in 2019 – he hopes his areas of expertise can help towards its continued success.

 

Adam Purnell "Shropshire Lad" - Director
Adam is what it says on the tin: a lad, from Shropshire with a passion for cooking, fishing, and this beautiful county full of amazing ingredients and produce. He is a self- taught home cook who has never set foot in a professional kitchen, but aims to create innovative, inspiring dishes that are exciting and accessible. Follow his food adventures on Instagram where he has gathered a huge following of loyal fans: Shropshire Lad.

 

Andrew Broadfield - Director
Andrew was a civil servant for 20 years and left in 2001 so that he could spend the winters backpacking around the world whilst working at Britpart for the rest of the year. His lack of language skills and limited budget led to a love of street food. He enjoys walking and has recently completed the full England and Wales coastal paths. He has been a keen follower of the Ludlow Food Festival since it first started and owns an extensive collection of ale trail glasses! After retiring in 2017 he has been able to regularly help with the events set up and break down, together with stewarding at the events. He has made many friends through the festivals and gets a buzz from the positive feedback we get. As a new Director he hopes to ensure that the festivals evolve and flourish well into the future.

 

Sally Maile - Event Coordinator/Office Manager
Sally is the cog that keeps the wheels turning – starting off as a volunteer 22 years ago. With a background in secretarial/PA and nearly 30 years in the hospitality trade, 16 years ago she joined as a member of staff and now works alongside with the newly formed Events Team - coordinating to keep the events ticking over.

 

And finally, a word about Phil Maile
Phil sadly died after a short illness in 2021, was the last of the founder members to remain on the Board, a board that he chaired for over 20 years. In the many tributes to Phil, it was said that what he did not know about Food Festivals wasn’t worth knowing. Often imitated but never bettered, festivals around the country have followed the trail that Phil blazed - some knowingly, some not even aware that someone had to create the format. The current board salute Phil’s achievements and are proud to be carrying them forward.

And last, but by no means least, are the 100+ VOLUNTEERS that we have on site before, after and during the festival. They are there when the hard work really begins and stick with us through rain and shine, mud, heavy lifting and litter picking. Their jobs are certainly not always glamorous but their humour, welcoming smiles and good natures are commented on by exhibitors, visitors and everyone who attends the event. Without our willing band of merry men and women we simply would not exist, they are the glue that holds the whole event together and for that we are forever in their debt.