Market Hailed Success After 50 Year Absence (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Market Hailed Success After 50 Year Absence

THE first farmers' market in Cricklade for 50 years has been hailed a success despite a lack of publicity.

People who walked into the town hall last Friday were delighted with the market, the first one to be held since 1953.

It was an idea which had been talked about for a couple of years but was delayed after receiving opposition from businesses.

However town councillors have decided to go ahead with the market for a six month trial.

Dawn Brooks of the Wiltshire Farmers' Market Association said: "You normally have six months to plan this sort of thing, we had a few weeks so we were not as well prepared as we could have been.

"Even so it has been very well supported and there were people queuing up half an hour before we opened.

"The council and WI have been very supportive to us, it's been a good partnership."

Shopper Lynne Young from Cricklade said: "I'm really impressed and I'm looking forward to coming again.

"I live around the corner so it is easy to walk here."

While Philip Neville from Purton said: "You have got to admire people who are prepared to diversify.

"Anything that can help to expand the market place that the farming community supplies to is a good thing."

Claire Lankester, 37, from Cricklade, said: "I am impressed with it although I'd like to see it outside because then it would be more of a market."

Locally produced organic vegetables, trout, beef and lamb, as well as pork, chicken, cheese and wine were all on sale.

Glen McAllister, from Leigh, was selling cheeses made by Bishopstone Cheese Company, the business he set up with Adrian Dent a year ago.

Town council vice-chairman Brian Atfield said: "It was brilliant, I didn't hear any complaints about the car parking although I think a lot of locals went there on foot.

"Once it gets known whose to know what might happen."

The Cricklade Business Association has not given its backing to the event because of the lack of space to park.

The farmers' market is on the second Friday of each month from 10am to 2pm.