Market manager Kardien Gerbrands talks about Swindon farmers' markets

A LOT of people like to put together a hamper for their friends and family as a Christmas gift.

I receive one every year from one of my sons and his wife and it’s something I like to give to my brother and sisters; it’s a way of putting a few nice little things together as a present that they will enjoy.

This Sunday will be our last market of 2016 and the last one before Christmas so I will be getting hampers of produce together at the market this week.

All members of my family are massive fans of the Wiltshire Chilli Farm products so I’ll head there first for several three packs of their chilli jams range.

Obviously none of the fabulous fresh produce; the sprouts and taters and carrots; are suitable for hampers but two of my siblings have dogs so I’m heading along to Hinton Marsh Farm for some pigs ears to put in for the dog.

Then some Aunty Caroline’s pickled onions, some Beard and Sabre cider for my bro’ and some sparkling wine from Newtown Estates for my sisters.

Doughnuts can’t go in a hamper but a small piece of Vineyard Pottery would be lovely, a small dish each perhaps. I’ll put a nice piece of cheese in, from Green’s and finish it off with some sprigs of holly.

The market is heaving with stalls this Sunday, with silver and gold jewellery from Flora and Rose, Fudge Aspirations and Jolly Holly, adding to a full turn out from all the regulars. Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and New Year. The market runs from 10am to 4pm and will return on January 8, after the holiday.

Markets

  • Bradford on Avon, third Thursday, 9am to 1pm at Westbury Gardens, BA15 1DE.
  •  Bradford on Avon, last Sunday, 10.30am to 2.30pm at Lamb Yard, BA15 1FG.
  •  Calne, second Saturday, 9am to 1pm, near the library, SN11 0JU.
  •  Corsham, third Saturday, 9am to 1pm, High Street SN13 0HB.
  •  Devizes, first Saturday, 9am to 1pm, Market Place l Malmesbury, second and fourth Saturdays, 9am to 1pm, Market Cross 
  •  Royal Wootton Bassett, fourth Saturday, 9am to 1pm, High Street.
  •  Salisbury, weekly on Wednesdays, 9am to 2pm, Poultry Cross.
  •  Swindon Farmers’ Market, every Sunday, 10am to 4pm, Swindon Designer Outlet, Kemble Drive, SN2 2DY.
  •   Trowbridge, second and fourth Friday, 9am to 1pm, Fore Street, BA14 8HX.
  •  Wanborough, third Saturday, 9am to midday, Wanborough Village Hall.
  •  Warminster, first and third Fridays, 9am to 1pm, central car park, BA 12 9BT