I was invited to take part in the launch of an additional Farmers Market on Sunday 21 October 2007 by the Thames Valley Farmers’ Market Co-operative. I duly arrived at 10 a.m. with Edwina Cooper and we were met by Ceinwen Lally who was the Manager of the Co-operative who said that holding of a second Farmers’ Market per month was the result of the request of regular market customers. After consultation with the Farmers, they agreed to try it for a limited period and subject to a later review on its viability.
The market stalls had been put up some hours before and even at 10 o’clock, many customers were already there for the launch. I had the pleasure of meeting Antony Worrell Thompson the famous chef and restauranteur, and Richard Benyon, the MP for Newbury, himself a farmer.
My introductory speech concentrated on the value of our historical charter market which had benefited both the local people and the traders and that this additional Farmers’ Market enhanced this benefit. Antony spoke about the benefits to both the community and the farmers who were experiencing tough times recently, and the advantages of fresh produce from local established farms, rather from abroad where the provenance of food was not always reliable. Richard also spoke from a farmers’ viewpoint who reiterated the plight of farmers and the Market was a good way of supplementing their income and getting a realistic price for their produce.
We then toured around the Market and I have to admit we were drooling at the wonderful range of produce available. I bought cheeses and a pretty fiery curry sauce while Edwina bought a very large chicken (it has a special name – according to my Constance Spry cookery book, it is a capon). This was from the Christmas Farm, Enborne not far from my house. I resisted the temptation of buying a goat burger as it would ruin my appetite for lunch, but it was doing a roaring trade.
I am certain that the Farmers’ Market operating on the first and third Sundays in each month will be a success in the future nand I wish them the best of good fortune.
The market stalls had been put up some hours before and even at 10 o’clock, many customers were already there for the launch. I had the pleasure of meeting Antony Worrell Thompson the famous chef and restauranteur, and Richard Benyon, the MP for Newbury, himself a farmer.
My introductory speech concentrated on the value of our historical charter market which had benefited both the local people and the traders and that this additional Farmers’ Market enhanced this benefit. Antony spoke about the benefits to both the community and the farmers who were experiencing tough times recently, and the advantages of fresh produce from local established farms, rather from abroad where the provenance of food was not always reliable. Richard also spoke from a farmers’ viewpoint who reiterated the plight of farmers and the Market was a good way of supplementing their income and getting a realistic price for their produce.
We then toured around the Market and I have to admit we were drooling at the wonderful range of produce available. I bought cheeses and a pretty fiery curry sauce while Edwina bought a very large chicken (it has a special name – according to my Constance Spry cookery book, it is a capon). This was from the Christmas Farm, Enborne not far from my house. I resisted the temptation of buying a goat burger as it would ruin my appetite for lunch, but it was doing a roaring trade.
I am certain that the Farmers’ Market operating on the first and third Sundays in each month will be a success in the future nand I wish them the best of good fortune.
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