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Eighth Birthday
Posted by Anne Benson on July 17, 2008 9:20 PM
A special birthday cake was made to celebrate Wirral Farmers' Market eighth birthday.
Mary Walton, from Mary's Cakes, created the gluten-free cake made from local raspberries, mascarpone, almonds and a dash of amaretto.
Committee members blew out the candles and then producers were provided with cake and a free lunch to mark the occasion on Saturday, July 12.
I can't believe it has been eight years since the market started and how its popularity just continues to grow. People always ask why it works and It is thanks to the volunteers who make it happen month after month and to the fantastic produce we have on our doorstep.
Also this month, customers had the chance to vote for their favourite producers.
The popular 'Producer Awards' allows Wirral Farmers' Market to thank producers for their efforts in bringing top quality, tasty and unusual food to Wirral every month.
If anyone missed the market it's not too late to vote online at www.wirralfarmersmarket.co.uk.
The categories are:-
Best product
Most unusual product
Best presented stall
Best customer service
Best producer overall
The winners will be awarded their certificates at the August market.
The next Wirral Farmers' Market takes place on Saturday, August 8, at New Ferry Village Hall from 9am.
There is a large variety of food on offer at the market including award-winning cheeses, sausages, Welsh Black Beef, lamb, free range chickens, smoked food, fresh fish, free range eggs, local honey, pies, plants, cakes and soups along with plenty of seasonal vegetables. You name it, Wirral Farmers' Market has it.
Wirral Farmers' Market is a voluntary organisation set up to regenerate the area and its surroundings, and works in partnership with New Ferry Regeneration Group, North West Fine Foods, Lairdside Community Trust and Health Links.
It is run by volunteers, who live and work in the area and organise the market in their spare time.
Visit www.wirralfarmersmarket.org.uk for more information.
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May Market and June 14th Market
Posted by Anne Benson on May 11, 2008 12:14 PM
It seemed to be a very successful farmers’ market yesterday. People flocked through and Mary had nearly sold out by around 10:30am, always a good sign.
The new producers, selling fresh pasta and delicious puddings, who came along were happy and the chilli man was much more optimistic as his freshly-made chilli completely sold out (which meant I sadly did not get any).
Liverpool Echo editor Alastair Machray popped in to shop and filmed a bit on his blog, so check it out at http://echoeditor.merseyblogs.co.uk/
I spent far too much money and last night we had our traditional farmers’ market meal of roast chicken, roast potatoes and some cracking gravy.
Today I am toying with the idea of what to do with a nice rack of lamb, a crab and some fresh salmon.
Inspired by yesterday’s Saturday Kitchen I might try the Baltic crab and the spicy lamb with flatbreads. Www.bbc.co.uk/food
And obviously I will be tucking into fresh asparagus as well. I am off to Claremont Farm in a minute to stock up. www.claremontfarm.co.uk. I will also be picking up updates on the producers booked in for the Wirral Food and Drink Festival, we are almost fully booked and there are some great peple coming along. So check out www.wirralfoodfestival.co.uk for updates (but give me until the end of today) Events are also coming along so sign up for the newsletter (due out next week) for the latest.
Next market is on Saturday, June 14th
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May 10 Market
Posted by Anne Benson on May 5, 2008 9:33 AM
The next market is on Saturday, May 10.
This month sees the return of outside stalls with the welcome addition of fresh pasta courtesy of an Italian living in Warrington and desserts from the Pudding Compartment.
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Mary and Barbara receiving flowers as a thank you
Posted by Anne Benson on February 12, 2008 9:55 PM
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mayoral reception
Posted by Anne Benson on February 12, 2008 9:53 PM
Recently we had a reception, held by the Mayor, at the town hall in Wirral to celebrate the success of Wirral Farmers’ Market and the fact it had won the BBC Radio 4 Food and Farming Awards for the best of its kind in the UK.
Mary of Mary’s Cakes and Barbara of Neston worked tirelessly and produced a fantastic buffet using produce from the farmers’ market, rather than the usual lacklustre offerings you often get at these events. So we can’t thank them enough for everything they did. We also drank local cider, beer and apple juice and though we couldn’t find any local wine, we made sure it was wine from an ethical company, which gave money to preserving the Wetlands. www.wirralfarmersmarket.co.uk
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awards, december market
Posted by Anne Benson on December 6, 2007 6:14 AM
Things have been so hectic over the last week. Ever since we sat in the Art Gallery in Birmingham waiting to hear how we had done in the BBC Food and Farming Awards.
If you haven’t heard – and if so where have you been! Wirral Farmers’ Market was voted the best Farmers Market in the UK.
It was a fantastic moment and I think I might have frightened John Jones, a producer who has been at the market from the beginning by squealing and then dragging him up on stage to receive the accolade with me.
We were presented with a certificate (yes, sorry Tony Snell not a trophy) and a goodie bag by Henrietta Green, whose Food Lovers’ Guide, started me writing about local food producers. This led to me being asked to join the farmers’ market and so ultimately ending up on a stage with her at Birmingham, being interviewed by the great Sheila Dillon. It’s a strange world.
Other news is that the Village Hall floor has just been re-sealed and is now nice and smooth again, so please treat it with care.
This month’s market, on Saturday December 8, is set to be a great Christmas celebration.
There will be celebrations all round at this month’s award-winning Wirral Farmers’ Market with visits from Father Christmas and his elves and carols from the local school.
The Scouts’ post will also be on hand to make sure your Christmas greetings reach people across Wirral.
Father Christmas and his elves, otherwise known as Councillors Alan Taylor, Bob Moon and Steve Niblock, will be handing out stockings to the first 50 young children attending the market which will contain fresh fruit.
The fresh fruit has been provided courtesy of Eddisbury Fruit Farm and Fresh Naturally of New Ferry and the stockings were made by the New Ferry Craft Club, which meets every week in the village hall.
Pupils from Grove Street Primary School will be singing carols around 10am to entertain customers. ScottishPower has again provided a Christmas tree to help with the festive feeling.
Wirral’s very own Scout post will also be available at the Friends of Wirral Farmers’ Market stall and this one of your last chances to take advantage of this service to get your Christmas cards delivered locally and help a good cause.
There will be turkeys, game, beef, ostrich and buffalo for as well as Christmas puddings, cakes and mincemeat. You can also pre-order your Christmas shopping to pick up at a later date.
There will be chocolates, plants, and goodies such as olive oil, chillies, beer and chutneys that will make excellent presents for food lovers.
The market will offer its usual variety of fantastic produce including olives, fresh seasonal vegetables just plucked from the ground and a variety of healthy fish as well as pies, chutneys, beef, lamb, fantastic cakes, chocolates and fresh herbs.
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"That's brilliant! Congratulations Anne. It proves ..."