What’s On

Morpeth Farmers' Market reaches 10th birthday

Posted by The Journal on Nov 3, 09 02:30 PM in What’s On

A popular market showcasing some of Northumberland's finest delicacies is set to celebrate a landmark anniversary this weekend.

The Morpeth Farmers' Market offers a range of locally-produced food and will be blowing out 10 candles on a special cake - to mark each successful year it has been trading.

The monthly event sees farmers and businesses in the region come together to display the cream of their crop, offering everything from fresh seasonal goods to handmade crafts. Celebrations will see buskers, competitions, and a cake, enjoyed by the stall owners who have stood side by side for the last decade.

There will also be Ready Steady Cook-style demonstrations throughout the morning by David Malone of Real Food Works, using ingredients sold at the market.

And Barnacre Alpacas, who featured at last year's Morpeth Christmas Market, will be bringing their animals into the market place for visitors to see.

Market manager with Northumberland County Council's neighbourhood services, Robert Hindhaugh, said: "The farmers' market is in the tradition of Morpeth as a market town, which is possibly why it is still flourishing after ten years."

Morpeth Farmers' Market was set up in November 1999 by Castle Morpeth Borough Council and was inherited by Northumberland County Council, as the new unitary authority, in April this year.

It has gone from strength to strength selling products including free range eggs, meats and cheeses, to crafts such as handmade soaps, handcrafted walking sticks and embroidery. Chair of Morpeth and Ponteland Markets Forum and NE England Farmers' Markets, Nic Best, was involved in setting up the market as a new borough council back in 1999.

He said: "Morpeth is lucky in still having locally-owned shops which have always sold local produce, but I think the farmers' market has raised awareness and appreciation of local food with a wider public.

"Some of that new demand is now being met by farm shops and box schemes, but in Morpeth the market is still thriving.

"And a number of businesses which started selling through farmers' markets are now supplying the local shops, and in some instances supermarkets - so the wheel has come full circle in a sense."

The Morpeth Farmers' Market takes place on the first Saturday of every month, in the market place. Celebrations to mark the market's 10th birthday take place on November 7, from 9am-2pm.

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