Helmshore Farmers Market flourishes

Date published: 04/05/2008

Meeting on the first Sunday of every month, this month the Farmers Market coincided with Bank Holiday weekend - and the rain! However, despite the wet weather, customers and traders were cheerful and upbeat about the market and its success.
Organised by Peter Sweetmore, the Helmshore event is going from strength to strength, with regularly more than 30 market stalls from local and regional suppliers.

John Holt, of Great House Farm in Helmshore, is one of the original stall holders and is full of praise for the market, commending the customers who keeping coming back for more each month, and recommending the market to their friends. This month, the first Spring Lamb was giving Holts some brisk trade. Holts, who also supply "The White Horse" in Helmshore, are involved in 13 markets every month, and doing well.

A few stalls along are Barry & Sue, from R S Ireland, The Real Lancashire Black Pudding Company. And they really are award winning products! With over 140 awards since 1992, including this years British Supreme Black Pudding Award, their produce is in demand all over the world. Recently, to accommodate growing demand they moved to larger premises in Haslingden from their previous home in Waterfoot.

Adding a touch of colour to the Farmers Market are Barbara & Jeanette with Flowers For All Occasions  - including outdoor displays for hanging baskets and patios at very reasonable prices.

The charity, Guide Dogs for the Blind, is the beneficiary for a stall of hand made greeting cards, designed by Liz Marchant, who was offering a great range of beautifully designed and made cards, including a make to order service.

 Another regular at the Helmshore Farmers Market is Philip Kershaw of The Travelling Pig Hog Roast Co, who dishes up the tastiest pork butties! Philip, who attends 6 markets a week with the Hog Roasts, really likes the atmosphere at Helmshore.

There are many other great stalls each with good quality produce, and all with something different to offer. At the end of the day, after the market shopping is complete, there is the added bonus now of being able to pop along the road to Cafe Tor in Musbury Fabrics, where Denis and Cath are now providing terrific snacks and meals.

The only cloud on the horizon is the lack of space to grow the market even further, but for now, Peter Sweetmore, the organiser is very happy with the way things are going in Helmshore.