A regular farmers’ market for Okehampton is in the pipeline, following the success of a pilot event held just before Christmas.
The new markets are going to be held in Red Lion Yard - a change of venue from the previous farmers’ markets held in the town a few years ago, when they were held around St James’ Church.
Mish Flexman of Okehampton Chamber of Trade said: ‘Visually this is a wonderful venue, but unfortunately mainly, I believe, due to the fact that it can be so cold there in winter months, the market eventually closed.
‘As the Chamber's co-ordinator for the food and music festival, I have a considerable list of local traders and it occurred to me that it might be possible to draw on this pool of growers and producers to reintroduce a farmer's market.
‘We decided to run two pilot markets, one before Christmas and one before Easter to judge the enthusiasm of potential stall holders and the public for the return of a regular monthly farmer's market in the town.
‘The response from traders and the public was better than I had dared hope. All the traders contacted were delighted to attend the Christmas market - and they are all coming back for the Easter market. In addition we are expecting two or three more.’
On the strength of these responses at the chamber committee meeting in January, it was decided that after Easter, Okehampton would hold it's own regular farmer's market on the third Saturday of the month, starting on March 21.
Chamber news
The chamber now has a new venue for its regular breakfast network meetings on the third Wednesday of each month. They will now take place at the Pavilion in the Park, beginning at 7.30am.
There will also be regular evening meetings on the third Thursday of the month.
The chamber recently held its annual meeting, when members voted for Linda Harper to continue as chairman for the second year. Linda said she was very pleased to remain in the role and pledged that the chamber would continue bringing more events to Okehampton and work hard to address the town’s traffic congestion issues.
This year’s secretary will be Shane Green, vice chair is Lyn Evans and treasurer is Caroline Mott. There are a number of new committee members too.
During the meeting, Steve Bolt, Louis Enderson and Mike Harding were made honorary life members of the chamber in recognition of their fantastic hard work maintaining and erecting the town’s Christmas lights each year. Thanks were also expressed to the many organisations who made donations towards the Christmas light funds.Tributes were paid to Christine Marsh for her help with grant applications, Gail Turner for her work as chamber secretary and also Matt Welveart and Jade Oliver-Deacon for their support.