Topic ID 292
I thought you would all be pleased to know that next Saturday, October 23rd sees the first Farmers Market in town. Surprisingly enough, in Market Place. There should be up to 25 stalls - from approx 9.00am to 2.00pm selling local produce including lamb, beef, cheese, honey, bread, eggs etc. Most of the stall holders already sell goods at Dane End and Hertford Heath, so you might know them.
Reply ID 1761
Fantastic! Is this going to be a regular thing?
Reply ID 1762
We are looking at possibly every two or three months; working in with existing committments and amount of produce. Providing next Saturday is a success.
Reply ID 1781
I overheard some market traders in Hertford last Saturday talking about the forthcoming farmers market. They did not seem happy. They said that the traders on the farmers market did not have to pay for a pitch the same as the regular traders do week in week out. If this is the case I can understand their displeasure.
Reply ID 1785
The farmers are paying the same for their pitch as everyone else based on the average fee paid by regular stall holders. Some like Mick the Veg pay more owing to the space he takes up - some of the new producers are sharing a stall. I really can't understand what some of the usual traders are moaning about. Those I've spoken to see no problem in a farmers market coming into town. The latter will bring, I hope, more visitors into town which should mean more money in everyone's pockets - including the regular Saturday traders. One of the prime reasons for Farmers markets to be invited in (and one of the reasons why some of them were reluctant to come) was to regenerate the market towns and the traditional charter markets. The feeling amongst some of them at a meeting earlier in the year was that after being restricted in their operations by the 7 mile rule, why should they help the same organisation (ie EHDC) to breathe life back into the old market towns. Some, not all, of the Saturday traders should take a long, hard look at what they offer - and then ask why fewer people bother to buy off of them. And this view is not restricted to Hertford.
Reply ID 1822
It was nice to have some variety at Saturday's market! I hope the vendors did well enough, despite ugly weather, to want to come back. Does anyone know if it was deemed successful and, if so, what the future holds for the farmer's market in Hertford?
Reply ID 1826
I agree - I thought the market was great on Saturday. And I've been stuffing my face with local produce all weekend :-) What I noticed is that there seemed to be a real buzz around the town centre on Saturday, the area around the farmers market was thriving, and this definitely added to the atmosphere in the town centre as a whole. Looking forward to the next one.
Reply ID 1828
sloop. I didnt manage to get down, could you forward some of the producers details for me! thanks.justin
Reply ID 1830
The bloke on the cheese stall was very happy with his business (we got down late and he was just packing up). According to the bag we got, the same people will be at Hatfield on the first Saturday of the month. Not sure where they'll be next Saturday, but could check what the bag says if you want?
Reply ID 1831
Thanks for all the positive comments. Weather could have been better - but it was late October!! Hopefully we will try and get the market back on a regular basis. This may be at times when there is a five week month as the producers have existing committments that need to be dovetailed.At moment looking maybe at March 2005. This is not so gloomy as it might appear as I have booked in a Continental market for Dec 4/5 which has up to 30 stalls from all over Europe selling produce and giftware. Slowly but surely the town centre should begin to liven up.
Reply ID 1832
Justin, I didn't deal with any of the producers direct but booked them in through their organiser. I will ring her and ask for her to reply to you direct at the restaurant with details etc. Can't say when but if you hear nothing after a couple of days then please let me know and I will pass her details on to you. Thanks for enquiring - a lot of good has come out of this event.
Reply ID 1843
quote:yes thanks , i couldnt get down as i believe they packed up by 1.30pm[:(]
Originally posted by sloopjohnb
Justin, I didn't deal with any of the producers direct but booked them in through their organiser. I will ring her and ask for her to reply to you direct at the restaurant with details etc. Can't say when but if you hear nothing after a couple of days then please let me know and I will pass her details on to you. Thanks for enquiring - a lot of good has come out of this event.
Reply ID 1851
We went down after midday and some of the stalls had already been cleared out. We met someone who said the crowds had been nine-deep earlier! However we managed to buy some nice sausages and some parsnip soup (all eaten now !:) I hope it becomes a regular thing.
Reply ID 1877
It's sounds like it was a well received event and thanks must go to those who contributed and helped to make it happen. Shame I missed it. Was it genuinely local produce?
Reply ID 1885
Justin, sorry about delays - caught up with Christmas lights amongst other things. Will chase up those contacts for you. Ewoowar, as far as I am aware what is brought to market has to be locally grown produce. Charter market traders can bring produce etc from wholesalers etc; the farmers have to bring only produce they have grown themselves. These are the guidelines. I think a few of the regulars checked this out.
Reply ID 1911
Christmas Lights! I'm all excited already! Good to hear it was local produce. I look forward to the next one.