Mytholmroyd.net and Hebweb were sworn to secrecy this week when the news broke that Robbie Coltrane would be a contestant at the World championship Dock Pudding Contest taking place at Mytholmroyd Community Centre on Sunday 22nd April 2007. Mytholmroyd was chosen as the first venue for a film in progress for a TV programme for ITV1 called Robbie Coltrane's Incredible Britain. It was stressed to us that no announcement was to be made on the websites or elsewhere which might alert an abnormal amount of people visiting the contest for reasons other than the Dock Pudding Competition. Our lips were therefore sealed. The event, always well attended, was a great success.

Mayor of Hebden Royd Town Council, Councillor Betty Ward had a private interview with Robbie. He insisted she keep her wonderful hat on. Robbie sat amongst the audience and mingled with the crowds.

Darren Kay who had never made the dish before won the contest. Robbie Coltrane was the runner up and Jane Kennedy was third.

Photos:

Miles Irving travelled from Kent for the event. Miles said that before the end of next week his aim was to have Dock Pudding on a menu at a top London Restaurant.

Miles' website is here: Forager.org.uk

See also:

Guardian Unlimited: You can't see the food for the trees

Wild harvest: the edible delights of the countryside.
The Independent:03 April 2006: Wild harvest: the edible delights of the countryside

Miles is writing a book about wild food, The Forager Handbook (Ebury Press).

(Thanks to Harry Ward for some of these photos. 22nd April 2007)