About this Event
Fed by the Medway: A Candle-Lit Supper
Thursday 23rd April
7:00 – 10:30pm
Windyridge, Wych Cross
£40–£95 (sliding scale)
Fed by the Medway began as a celebration of the River Medway and the abundance she makes possible. From the outset, it has been an attempt to recognise the river not only as landscape, but as living presence and generative force, whose gifts come in many forms; one of which is food.
Over time, this intention has taken shape through a series of candlelit gatherings, each meal composed in direct response to the seasonal gifts of the land. The menus emerge from what is available and in relationship: produce from our own gardens, neighbouring farms, and generous contributions from growers and producers such as Farmacy, Brambletye, Seasons, Sussex Kitchen, and Bewilder Beef. In this way, each gathering becomes a portrait of a particular moment in the year, rooted in weather, soil, labour, and the ongoing conversation between human care and ecological rhythm.
At the table, these origins are translated into something intimate and shared. In every bowl, crust, and poured glass, an unfolding chain of interdependence emerges - one that binds waterscapes to field margins, hedgerows to kitchens, growers and land stewards, foragers and cooks, bakers and brewers, and the river herself. Alongside them are those who come to eat, to sit, to listen, and to be in company with one another, held in the warm embrace of soft candelight. People who might not otherwise cross paths find themselves at the same table, briefly sharing space, food, and conversation; a pure expression of "companionship" (from the Latin com (with) and panis (bread), literally “to break bread with").
This is an ever-evolving celebration: of the river and her tributaries, of the surrounding ecosystems and their quiet intelligence, of the land, and of the farmers and land stewards who tend it. It is also a call: to recognise what becomes possible when we choose good ingredients, ones that honour and serve both the river and the earth, and allow them to guide what is made.
And finally: held within this spirit of joyous attention and care, the gatherings also serve a practical and collective purpose. They act as a fundraiser and in this circumstance, partly to support our second pilgrimage - From Source to Sea - taking place this summer (17th–26th July, provisional dates). In this way, each meal extends beyond the evening itself, contributing to an ongoing journey of care, attention, and return to the river as both origin and destination.
Sample Menu
Begin with a vibrant spread of seasonal starters:
Roasted beetroot with toasted walnuts
Wild garlic & nettle pesto, freshly foraged
Warm sourdough from the Sussex Kitchen or buckwheat focaccia (GF), baked in-house
For the main course, choose between:
St George’s Pie – a rich, slow-cooked casserole of English venison and “BeWilder” beef, encased in a homegrown suet crust
or
Creamy leek, mushroom & bean pie (vegan) – a comforting, velvety filling beneath a golden crust
Served alongside:
Buttery mashed potatoes with wild garlic
Honey-glazed carrots with fragrant thyme
A crisp salad of locally grown leaves with a bright, zesty dressing
To finish:
Cardamom-infused apple crumble, warmly spiced
Served with indulgent ice cream from The Sussex Kitchen
Expect a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, good company, and food that tells the story of the beautiful ecosystem that we call home. w/
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
RH18 5JP, Windyridge - What3Words: parties.speedy.punctual, Wych Cross, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00
