The day kicked off with a highly contested football match between the Ambrosia Dream Team and Ashford Batchelor Boys (also owned by Premier Foods and celebrating 60 years). Ambrosia won the match 3-0 and received the Ambrosia Centenary Challenge Cup from factory manager, Steve Pretty.
The fete was opened by the chairman of Lifton Parish Council, Councillor Chris Edmonds, who spoke highly of the contribution that Ambrosia has made to the local area over the last 100 years.
After a rousing display from the City of Plymouth Pipe Band, there was a further team competition of tug of war, which was won by the Arundell Hotel and It’s a Knockout, won by the Fox and Grapes. The Ambrosia and Ashford teams put up a spirited challenge!
Over 1,000 people braved the weather and joined in the celebrations throughout the afternoon, enjoying a fun dog show and fantastic performances by PopChoir Launceston, Okehampton Town Band and falconry display and Flyball (dog agility). There was also a craft marquee made up of local artisans from pottery, weaving and wood turning.
The kids zone was a great success where the children could colour in a birthday card for Ambrosia‘s Centenary and get a balloon. The children were captivated by Spangles the Clown and Mr Bamboozle, who made wonderful balloon animals. Great fun was also had on the bouncy castle, It’s a Knockout inflatable course and pony rides.
The Lifton Farm Shop provided the catering with a hog roast and burgers, a popular beer tent and tea, coffee and Mr Kipling cakes. Some wonderful cakes were also baked for a competition, which was judged by Julie Herd.
The event was also supported by CHICKS (Country Holidays for Inner City Kids), Lifton Primary School, Roadford Lake and the Lifton Women’s Institute.
Some talented Ambrosia colleagues displayed their skills including blacksmiths, Derek Humphreys and his son Chris, potter Ben McManigan and Jo Ware, who played in the Okehampton Town Band.
The day ended with Ambrosia’s very own band, ‘Station Road’, which is made up of Stewart Mead, Tristan Williams, Clive Atton, James Farrow and Pete Marks, performing for the crowd.