MPs shine light on producers

Two Shropshire MPs have been exciting the taste buds of colleagues at the House of Commons – helping to shine the spotlight on some of Telford and Shrewsbury’s local food and drink producers.

Celebrating everything from pork pies to doughnuts, sourdough to vegan chocolate, a mouth-watering event called A Taste of Shropshire was hosted jointly by Telford MP Shaun Davies and Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley.

The ‘taste of’ events are a much-loved parliamentary tradition which offer local businesses the opportunity to showcase their products in Parliament to MPs, House of Lords members and parliamentary staff. This is a significant promotional opportunity for local businesses.

Three Telford-based food and drink vendors were invited by Shaun Davies to present their products including Richard and Tom Eley from Eley’s Pork Pies in Ironbridge, Sienna Turner from vegan chocolate producer ChocTilly who has a shop locally in Jackfield, and Adam Purnell – The Shropshire Lad – owner of Embers Café.

The event took place in the Jubilee Room in the Palace of Westminster over a two-hour period and was an open invitation to all members of Parliament and their staff.

Shaun Davies said:  "I’ve never made it a secret in Parliament just how proud I am of Telford and the incredible local businesses that make our town what it is.

"I’m so grateful those businesses who made the trip to Parliament to showcase their amazing produce. It’s an honour to say they represent Telford. This is all about putting Telford on the map, we want people to come and experience everything our remarkable town has to offer."

Richard Eley said: “Our day in Westminster for the A Taste of Shropshire event was truly unforgettable, it was a really great event. I am so happy to be chosen to support Shropshire. Thank you to Shaun for inviting us and for everything he does for our area.”

Adam Purnell, The Shropshire Lad, said: It was such an exciting experience to bring what I do in Telford to Parliament. Really interesting day, I was so glad to be given the opportunity to showcase my own rum along with my food. A big thank you to Shaun for the knowledgeable tour of Parliament too.”

Sienna from ChocTilly said: “Such a great experience, especially in terms of meeting people and making connections, the event has made small businesses feel seen.”

Julia Buckley said: “This was a really fabulous event. I was so proud to host Planet Donut from Shrewsbury in the Houses of Parliament. Of all the producers, their hundreds of donuts were the first to run out due to popular demand.

“What a great way to showcase our fabulous local producers in Parliament where hundreds of MPs from all over the country came to taste our wares. Now they are keen to visit Shropshire to find out more.”

Pictured: Shaun Davies (MP for Telford )with Julia Buckley (MP for Shrewsbury) at the Taste of Shropshire event in Parliament