AS the countdown to Bournemouth’s biggest ever food and drink festival begins, the town’s traders and civic leaders have unveiled plans for a historic launch event.

The Bournemouth Beef and Ale Festival on June 22 marks the official start of the Echo-backed 2012 Bournemouth Food and Drink Festival.

Organised in association with Bournemouth Accommodation and Hotel Association and Bournemouth Council, it will revive an old 19th century annual festival when Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce executives were known as Barons of Beef.

The association evolved in 1908 into the Bournemouth Traders’ Federation and later in 1916 into Bournemouth Chamber of Trade.

Vice-president of the BCTC Mandy Payne said: “We are delighted to be involved and we hope that this will become an annual event for both organisations to be able to invite businesses and families to attend.”

“Although beef and ale is the theme of the evening, there will be plenty of choice for everyone.”

The Barons of Beef event will be held at the Hotel Miramar in Bournemouth on June 22 from 5.30pm to 9pm with a line up of acts including local singer/songwriter Paul Kinvig, poet Steve Biddle, The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and the Off Beat Groove Choir.

Tickets start at £12 per person (or £20 per couple) to £25 for a family ticket. To book please visit the Bournemouth Chamber website or email mandy.payne@bournemouth chamber.org.uk The Echo-backed Bournemouth Food and Drink Festival launched last year to celebrate food and drink across the region ranging from local hotels and cafes to farmers and brewers.

This year the event will be spread over ten days culminating in a three day food and drink market in Bournemouth Square and The Triangle from June 29 to July 1. Other festival highlights include special themed evenings, food tastings and cookery demonstrations.

For more information visit bournemouthfoodanddrink.co.uk