Page 6 - Thrapston Life October 2023

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FARMERS’
MARKET
Locally produced goodies
Charlotte Croser from Jollys Toys also helps to run the Thrapston Farmers’ Market, as if she isn’t busy enough with her shop! Can you believe it’s been nine years since it started?
What made you choose Thrapston? Several members of the team are shopkeepers here. We wanted to create a buzz on Thrapston High Street and put it on the map, and we
to paying ourselves back if it went well. We knew nothing about running farmers’ markets so spent time talking to other market organisers and the Farm Retail Association. We got licenses and approval from the local councils and contacted as many stallholders as we could.
What is the best thing about the job?
knew that with so many local producers we could create a good market.
How many people run the market?
It took us 6 months to plan the first market and get it going
Raising funds for local good causes and boosting the High Street footfall. We have raised over £15,000 over the years and Thrapston High Street is thriving which is wonderful to see.
Favourite type of stall? Anything slightly unusual that our shoppers flock to – Welsh Bakes is a good example as Welsh baked goods aren’t so easy to
We are a team of four volunteers –
Lindsey Burch, Charlotte Croser (Jollys
Toys), Donna Thomas (ex-stallholder)
and Sarah Whiteside (Hilly Horton
Home). Lindsey is the money lady,
Charlotte manages the stalls, Donna the social media and Sarah does set up on market day.
Tell us more... It took us 6 months to plan the first market and get it going. A couple of us put some of our money into it to get it going with insurances, signage and so on, with a view
come across in our area.
Describe the market in five words? Can we
have six? Fresh, local food by friendly people. Are all the stall holders local? We prioritise
local stall holders and require all products to include at least one locally sourced ingredient.
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