Many sample food, drink and crafts at Seafront Sunday

Thousands of locals and visitors sampled island food, drink and crafts.

Chair of EDBL, Charlotte Dickson, also of Guernsey and Herm Oysters, said it was the second Seafront Sunday the group had organised this year with two more to follow.

‘We’re formerly Taste Guernsey, the Eat, Drink and Be Local was our strapline. Luke [Wheedon of Wheedon’s Gin] and I felt it better represented what we were trying to achieve this year.

‘This event has previously been an enabler for new businesses. Luke’s quite clear that without the opportunity Taste gave him he wouldn’t have had the gin brand.’

Ms Dickson said it was all about giving local artisan businesses a platform for their businesses: ‘This is our shop front, an opportunity to tell people about our industry.’

EDBL committee member James Meller, of Rocquettes Cider, was working on the Flying Donkey, a mobile bar offering local ciders and draft beer.

‘The cider is made just up the road for the event and brought down. We’ve all been here since 7.30am helping each other set up. It’s going to be a good weekend.’

The Off Road Coffee Company was also set for a busy day of trading with their custom-designed Land Rover Defender 90, which serves coffee, tea and hot chocolate. The company is run by business partners Dave Mahoney and Angie McGill.

‘It’s a part-time business we run at the weekend,’ said Mr Mahoney.

‘We’ve been going about 18 months. I had the Land Rover already and thought we’d convert it.’

Mr Mahoney said the seafront events were fabulous and a great chance to bring the business to new customers.

Local crafts were also on offer.

All Made By Me sells knitted toys made by Marie Rabet. By midday she had already sold a lot of merchandise.

‘I had everything, Peppa Pig, a pirate, a giraffe, all gone now.’

At 82, Mrs Rabet said she has knitted toys for many years.

‘I’ve always been crafty, I enjoy making them, I enjoy selling them. Children like them because they can play with them, get them dirty then they can go in the washing machine.’

Charities also take part and the GSPCA has been at every Seafront Sunday this year.

‘It’s an opportunity to meet thousands of people,’ said shelter manager Steve Byrne.

He said the day was a chance to educate and inform people of the shelter’s work.

Archie Piper, 10, and Louie Piper, 8, liked the GSPCA stall.

‘I like seeing the toy stalls and knowing I have enough money to afford them,’ said Archie, who had £6 to spend on toys.

‘And we got lollies,’ said Louie.

Mum Riel Piper said they often came down: ‘It’s nice to see local stalls. It’s just a nice day out.’

With them was grandmother Lyn Ashton, who had come over from Warrington.

‘This is the first time I’ve ever been – I’ve been to Guernsey lots of times – it’s really nice, especially on a day like this.’