Rum butter event success prompts hopes for another

Hundreds attended the pirate-themed event

Organisers of a festival celebrating rum butter hope it will become an annual event, following its initial success.

The free pirate-themed event took place in Castle Park, in Whitehaven, on Saturday, which paid homage to the Cumbrian delicacy.

It was organised by social enterprise TEGretail, which said turnout had been "great" and about 700 people attended.

"Families are looking forward for it to be an annual fixture," a spokesperson said.

"It's been a fantastic event and great turnout despite the weather."

The festival - which included rum butter baking competitions and other entertainment - had been in the works since December.

'Leaking keg tale'

Director Abi Greaves said those behind the festival wanted to put on an event that focused on Whitehaven's history as a rum trading port.

"We don't really get a lot of heritage events that focus on that throughout the town, so we thought this would be a great opportunity," she said.

"It's quite an unique connection."

There were about 30 competitors in the rum baking competition

Rum butter dates back to about the 18th Century. The spread contains butter, sugar and dark rum.

It is not clear exactly how it was invented, with stories including tales about smugglers, a drunken sailor and a farmer's wife's keg of rum leaking into stored butter and sugar.

In the past, it was used in Christenings in the area and nowadays it is often consumed with mince pies and Christmas puddings.

"You associate it with autumn, Christmassy-months, it's that kind of warm food for that time of the year," Ms Greaves said.

However, she added that despite the spread's festive nature, organisers were planning to hold next year's festival in July to benefit from better weather and the tourist season.

Dates will be decided in January.