Market Days

        Tony’s Fresh Fish
         Fine Fresh Fish direct from the Fishermen - where else?    Tel: 07879 846330

Carpenters Farm Shop, Great Bentley
Every Wednesday morning I take our fish to a local farm shop at Aingers Green, Great Bentley, Carpenters Farm Shop. Carpenters prides itself in providing a huge array of fresh local produce, ranging from their own home grown asparagus, strawberries, raspberries and potatoes to a selection of meats, dairy products, bread etc from other excellent local producers.

Kerry at Carpenter's Farm Shop on a Wednesday morning

Farmers' Markets
We also attend six local Farmers' Markets. A Farmers' Market is a market in which the stall holder (from a defined local area) is a person directly responsible or fully involved in the growing, rearing, catching, brewing, pickling, baking, smoking or processing of all their products. "Farmers Markets are the embodiment of the availability of home grown foods. They are the British farming industry's most high-profile shop window." Quote taken from the National Association of Farmers' Markets website.

A local farmers' Market is a bit of an 'event', not necessarily a big one but certainly for many, a social one. It is also a reminder that Tesco is not the be all and end all of shopping. It is a fact too that these markets attract visitors from other areas, bringing with them extra business for many local retailers. The supermarkets are here to stay and of course most of us welcome them, but support for ALL local tradesmen, including those at Farmers' Markets can only benefit everyone locally.

Kerry Talbot

Colchester Farmers' Market - First Friday of every month from 9.30am till 1.30pm, Colchester Arts Centre, Church Street. Contact Rowly Castiglione on 01206 367776, e-mail localfood@btinternet.com.

Wivenhoe Farmers' Market - Third Saturday of every month from 9am till 12pm, William Lovelace Hall, High Street. Contact Rowly Castiglione on 01206 367776, e-mail localfood@btinternet.com.

Brightlingsea Farmers' Market - Last Thursday of every month from 9am till 12pm, Brightlingsea Community Centre, Lower Park Road. Contact Bob Shotton on 01206 302669, e-mail rjshotton@yahoo.co.uk, www.communityreach.org.uk.

Frinton Farmers' Market - Fourth Friday of every month from 9am till 12pm, New Methodist Church hall, Ashlyns Road. Contact Ivan or Caroline on 01206 230524.

Rowhedge Farmers' Market - Varied dates, call to confirm. 9am till 12pm, Rowhedge Village Hall, Rectory Road. Contact Yvonne Gibbs on 077809 23688.

Produce on offer at these markets includes free range pork, lamb and chicken, local and organic beef, free range eggs, cheeses, home smoked meats and fish, homemade soups, mushrooms, seasonal fruit and veg, freshly caught fish, homemade cakes, savouries and preserves, pestos and dressings, plants and herb, homemade Indian cuisine.

The produce available will vary from month to month as much of it is seasonal and produced in most cases by just one or two people (often with grateful help from family or friends!).