Rotary Club of Salcombe

Welcome to Salcombe Crab Festival – or Crabfest!

Cancer Pagurus (brown crab) caught by the Salcombe fleet off the South Devon coast is widely regarded as the best in the world. In fact, so famously flavoursome is our local mighty-clawed crustacean, that we thought it entirely deserving of its own annual celebration, and so Crabfest was born.

Crabfest is not just an excellent opportunity for seafood lovers to get together and crack open some fine tasting crabs. More than that, Crabfest has become a vibrant showcase for the local fishing, food, drink and tourism industries at the heart of our unique area.

Come and enjoy hands-on cookery demonstrations by award-winning chefs, crab picking masterclasses, crab pot making, live music, kids activities and much more!

Crabfest is hosted by the Rotary Club of Salcombe to raise money for local causes. To date the festival has match-funded two night landing sites for the Devon Air Ambulance, part-funded a defibrilator at Salcombe Fish Quay, supplied a new vehicle for Salcombe’s First Responder and provided essential funding for a number of other local charities.

For more information and to take part see our website dedicated to Crabfest: Salcombe Crabfest

Photos © Norsworthy Photography

And on the 14th of December –

A very big thank you to everyone who was part of the fabulous Charity dinner last night at Cliff House, the Rotary Committee, Jamie and the crew from 27 in Kingsbridge, Devon Rum who supplied the welcome drinks, the individuals and businesses that supplied auction items the 110 people who bought tickets and of course the Regatta Committee who work so hard to make the whole week an amazing success!

3rd August 2023

Thanks to Imogen Yeoman for the fantastic photos!

“A few highlights from a fabulous day at Salcombe Crabfest Salcombe Rotary Club on Sunday. Another well organised and great event. As always, a pleasure to be asked to photograph the event. Already looking forward to next year!”

Cancer Research UK has been presented with a cheque for £10,000 following the success of the 2022 Salcombe Crabfest. The cause was nominated as the principal charity to benefit from the festival in 2022 by the event organisers, The Rotary Club of Salcombe, after the disease affected a number of its members.

Alison Birkett, spokesperson for CRUK in the South West, said “I am delighted to accept this cheque on behalf of Cancer Research UK. This is an incredible sum of money, and will make such a difference. Without people fundraising we simply couldn’t do the work we do, ranging from research to clinical trials, and ultimately finding new treatments for cancer. This money will help us to continue working towards our ambition – to see 3 in 4 patients surviving cancer by 2034. We rely on public donations to fund our work, so thank you to everyone in Salcombe who helped raise this money!”

Salcombe Crabfest is a one-day event taking place annually, celebrating the exceptional fishing and tourism industries in the town. This year the event is taking place on Sunday 30^th April, with highlights including chef demonstrations, live music, children’s activities, street traders and more. Whilst free to attend, the event aims to raise money for local and national charities, with collection buckets around the festival. Donations from Crabfest events to date now total over £50,000 cumulatively!

Nick Brodie, organiser of Salcombe Crabfest said “It is with great honour that The Rotary Club of Salcombe presents this money to such an exceptionally worthwhile organisation, which works tirelessly to help cancer sufferers. As well as being a great family day out for all to enjoy, Salcombe Crabfest raises a huge amount of money which goes directly to charities. We are so grateful to everyone who helps make the Crabfest successful – there’s a large team of volunteers, sponsors and local businesses that contribute in many ways. Without them this cheque presentation wouldn’t be possible, so thank you.”

Salcombe Crabfest 2023 will raise money for three local charities – Devon Air Ambulance, Devon Mind, and Chill South Devon. With plans well underway for an exciting, action-packed day out, its an event not to be missed!

Photo Caption: (Left to right)

Alison Birkett (CRUK) and representatives from The Rotary Club of Salcombe, Jenny Makepeace, Rosemary and John Sampson, Nick and Jayne Brodie.

Credit: Norsworthy Photography