The Slow Food Berwick-upon-Tweed convivium was established in 2006 to celebrate the rich food heritage of this historic border town.
The name Berwick is derived from the Old English for a barley farm. Barley is still grown in the surrounding area and local maltings supply many of the finest real ale breweries across the country. There is no longer a brewery in Berwick - but we are working on it.
The River Tweed is one of the premier salmon rivers in the United Kingdom. During the summer season salmon is still caught in the traditional way using clinker built cobles and nets in the estuary under the town walls. On the reef along the coast north and south of Berwick there is a plentiful and sustainable supply of crabs, lobsters and shellfish. Unfortunately most of it is exported to Spain. Berwick is no longer a fishing port but fish is still landed at Eyemouth and Seahouses both within our convivium area. Also within our area, which covers a 30 km radius from Berwick, or just outside, we have a wealth of good local producers, many of them organic.
We are in the early stages of planning a major food festival in Berwick in September 2008.