An umbrella may come in handy, but don’t worry about the weather when the second of Marlborough’s open-air community market opens for business in the High Street at 11am on Sunday.
It’s going to be bigger and better than the initial event last month launched by Marlborough’s Mayor, Edwina Fogg, with the number of stalls boosted from 20 to 32.
And such has the message spread of the success of the July market that another dozen would-be stallholders are waiting in the wings to take part.
“Nothing is going to spoil it,” market organiser Ellie Gill told Marlborough News Online. “I wasn’t surprised how well we did at first because the community is really right behind the market.
“That’s thanks to the efforts of Transition Marlborough and the town council who want to boost what goes on in the in the High Street and bring in people from outside.”
Energetic Ellie will be walking the High Street pavements tomorrow (Thursday) talking to people and handing out leaflets to ensure that they know Sunday is going to be another big day.
Indeed, the bigger and better boast comes from the fact that an even greater variety of local fare from prepared foods, farmers’ market produce and a huge variety of arts and crafts
will be on display until 4pm.
Such has been the interest in the new venture, that Ellie has introduced four Guest Stalls to give producers a chance to try out the market for themselves.
“We now have a considerable waiting list of interested producers,” she said. “We’re really excited to have such a great core of producers, which means that operating the Guest Stalls will ensure constant variety in what the market offers.”
The 32 stallholders will be selling everything from local teas, honey, fudge, flowers, plants, cheese and mushrooms to handmade shawls, oil cloth bags, bunting, soap and clothes, all emanating from the fact that the Farmers’ Market held in the town hall for 13 years closed down last year.
The Transition Marlborough group, prime movers in creating an outdoor Sunday market, also have other environmental goals in mind for preparing the town for the effects of peak oil prices, one of them being recycling.
With the help of The Green Machine, the group have declared a “Computer Amnesty” for August. Local residents and businesses are invited to bring old and unwanted computers, often found in garages, attics and cupboards in many a household so that former IBM technician Simon Crisp can recycle the parts to make new ones.
For every computer donated, The Green Machine will donate £5 to be shared between five community groups and charities, with Afrikaya and Helen Douglas House having already been chosen along with Transition Marlborough.
“At the last market some people remarked that there was perhaps not the variety of fresh vegetables and eggs normally found in a farmers’ market,” added Ellie. “That why we are thrilled to have Purton House Organics coming back, as they were such keen supporters of the original Farmers’ Market.”
They will be bringing a range of vegetables, in addition to soft fruit and eggs. Other newcomers include Neustift Goats from Lyneham, joining Greens of Glastonbury in bringing cheese to market and to go with it, and Langsfords Preserves who will be bringing a range of Hedgerow chutneys and relishes with them.
The Cotswold Cooks will be adding their own delights too in a 1950’s inspired , beach hut themed trailer which will be offering tea and cakes together with a range of homemade savouries including their latest recipe, slow cooked porchetta with fennel and garlic.
And the market will also be operating an alcohol licence and a new Cider and Perry business run by David Harrison, from North Wiltshire, will be on hand to advise on the best tipples to try at home.
But the Routemonster’s bus café is currently booked for other sites across the country and will be missing on Sunday. But the bus organisers have promised to make a return at Christmas with a Santa’s Grotto on the top deck.
Other highlights will be local biodynamic therapist, Hilary Price will be offering treatments for the second month running, the flag making workshop will be freely available to youngsters and parents wanting some relief from retail therapy.
Take your pick – the market runs from 11am on Sunday to 4pm.
