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A warm and sunny October day brought shoppers flocking to the second Harvest Market organised by the Wem Combine Harvesters in Wem Town Hall. Wemians and people from the surrounding villages were there in about equal numbers with others from further afield including Craven Arms, Ellesmere and Market Drayton. Stewards had a major task holding back early birds from sneaking in before the market's official opening time. The market was opened by the Mayor of Wem, Councillor Edward Towers, who praised the quality and range of local food, drink and crafts that was on display.
Trade was brisk with some of the traders almost sold out by the end of the market. Baked goods, meats, coffee, cider and wine proved very popular. The Garden Club's carrots and potatoes were voted 'second to none'; rapid sales of Civic Society's preserves showed that there is still a place for jams, jellies and pickles in C21st Britain; chocolate 'lollipop's were a great hit with the children and great interest was shown in the clothes handknitted from the wool of native breeds of sheep.
Transition Town Initiative was consulting with shoppers over the final details of their map of Wem retail businesses.
There was also
- Folk/Traditional music on the accordion from John Neilson of Oswestry that set many a toe tapping.
- Face Painting for children.
- Quizzes (Children: (1) Energy Quiz from WTTI, (2) Flora & Fauna quiz from W&DGC, (3) ‘Where in Wem?’ from WCS,which was open to all ages. £1 was charged for each entry with proceeds going to the Wem War Memorial Fund and Ss Peter & Paul’s Church Restoration Fund.
- Raffle (Prizes included: Food Hamper; Fruit Basket; Gardening Selection; Taste of the Marches: Bottle of Powys Apple Juice, Shropshire Wine and Shropshire Cider.)
The market was used as a dropping off point for surplus apples collected from around Wem by members of the Civic Society and the Transition Town Initiative. These apples were exchanged for apple juice, which will be sold in support of the Wem War Memorial Fund and Ss Peter & Paul’s Church Restoration Fund
Stallholders included:
- Angela's Catering: cakes, pies, scones and other baked goods.
- Aroma Tea & Coffee Merchants: Own-roasted coffees plus range of coffee products, chocolates and teas.
- Battlefield 1403: Butcher, including locally sourced lamb and beef when in season. (www.battlefield1403.com)
- Berriew Cider ~ Traditional cider matured in rum and whisky barrels; apple juice from local apples.
- Commonwood Vineyard ~ Popular local English red and white wine, Italian baked specialities. (www.ukvines/vineyards/wem.htm)
- Eckford Sweet Pea Society. Promoter of the developer of the modern Sweet Pea; seeds and related Sweet Pea goods.
- Grinshall Honey - supplier of local honey and beehives.
- Elizabeth's 'Jamie at Home' ~ Party Plan Products for the Home.
- Knitted from Native Breeds: hand knitted garments from pure wool of native breeds of British sheep.
- Midcounties Co-op ~ 'Fair Trade' and 'Local Harvest'.
- Nicola's Beadalicious Jewellery: Handmade jewellery with glass pendants and gemstone beads. (www.beadalicious.vpweb.co.uk)
- Path of Angels ~ unique handmade Angel jewellery.
- Phoenix Trading ~ cards and stationery.
- Renaissance Quilts ~ handmade quilts and throws, from cot to single-bed size, different colours and designs; also hand-made totes.
- Scentsy: Ceramic warmers with fragrant waxes.
- Shropshire Cheese Company.
- Shropshire Wildlife Trust ~ leading conservation charity for Shropshire wildlife. (www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk)
- Smallprint ~ Fingerprint Jewellery, your child's fingerprint caught in fine silver; pendants, charms, cufflinks etc. (www.smallp.co.uk)
- Tuesday’s Chocolates: Fine Belgian chocolates hand made in Market Drayton: chocolate animals, chocolate shoes, chocolate lollies, cupcake-shaped chocolates; also novelty birthday and chocolate cakes. (www.tuesdays-chocolates.co.uk)
- Vermeulen & Son of Ellesmere: popular local bread, savouries and other delicacies.
- Wem Civic Society ~ jams, jellies, marmalades, pickles and other preserves.(www.wemlocal.org.uk)
- Wem & District Garden Club ~ baked goods, fruit, vegetables, plants.
- Wem Transition Town Initiative ~ Eco-Energy (www.wemlocal.org.uk)
- Wemian Crafts ~ handmade products using traditional methods.
- Wroxeter Roman Vineyard: Award-winning English wine (red, rosé, sparkling and white) and cider. (www.wroxetervineyard.co.uk)
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Wine, Squashes and baked Italian specialities
from Commonwood Vineyard. |
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