Search for perfect Shropshire Lad and Lass heads back in time

The search to find the ideal Shropshire Lad and Lass is heading back in time at one of the county’s biggest events – adding a medieval flavour to the quest.

The countywide hunt – launched by the award-winning Wood Brewery and with prizes worth £5,000 to each of the lucky winners – will take on the medieval twist at Ludlow Food Festival from September 7-9.

Wood’s Breweries managing director Stephen O’Neil who is leading the brewery on the search, said the festival’s backdrop of Ludlow Castle made it the perfect venue for the time-travelling twist.

“The castle throws a historic shadow across the food festival, so we are tweaking the challenges we have been running as part of the hunt to find our perfect Shropshire Lad and Lass to reflect that,” she said.

“Contenders will have to ride a hobby horse as part of the fun and there will be a host of beer and foodie games with a medieval twist as well.  It promises to be something very special and an opportunity not to be missed.”

The Wood Brewery – famed for its own Shropshire Lad and Shropshire Lass beers – has been staging a series of challenges at festivals throughout the summer to try to find the pair who personify Shropshire the most.

The winners will be crowned at the Shropshire Oktoberfest in October – with a mouthwatering array of prizes up for grabs.

The overall winners will each pocket £2,000, a brand new car for a month, membership of both Love Fitness and the Shrewsbury Club, dinner for two at the Mytton and Mermaid on the edge of Shrewsbury and an annual pass to Shropshire Festivals.

“We have had a fantastic response to the hunt so far and know the medieval theme to the Ludlow stage of the search will bring out the very best of all the Shropshire Lads and Lasses who take part,” added Stephen.

If you can’t make the festival, you can still enter the hunt by submitting a two-minute video to the Wood Brewery facebook page (@WoodBreweryLtd) showing why you are the best of Shropshire.

Woods is also staging a mini ale trail at Ludlow Food Festival featuring the Church and the Charlton Arms and the Woods Stand in the castle with a prize for people who visit all three.