Market manager Kardien Gerbrands talks about Swindon farmers' markets

EVERYWHERE you turn it’s politics and the election at the moment!

Since I gave up watching TV a few years ago it doesn’t impact on me as much as most but it can get very wearing, can’t it? How thankful I am therefore to be in a job that transcends all the nonsense; there is no nonsense involved in bringing a famers’ market into town; we are an honest bunch who work hard and aim to bring the very best local produce to the people of Swindon.

And the food producers we set up stall for on Sunday mornings are the same - hardworking, honest folk who don’t aim to make a fortune but know how to run their businesses to support their families.

Regular readers and market visitors will know that we are on a roll with the market with more stalls, more selection and excellent trade for the stallholders too.

This week sees the long-awaited return of Paget’s Produce of Bromham, who will have new potatoes, broad beans, baby beetroot bunches, heritage carrot bunches, rainbow chard, cavallo nero and curly kale.

These are early summer crops that have been delayed by firstly the lack of spring rain and then the generally cool May.

We are currently trying to encourage our Swindon regular customers to come to the market early on Sunday mornings to avoid the horrendous traffic build up as customers queue to enter the North car park. All stalls are set up and ready to sell by 9.30am so by attending before 11am it is possible to avoid the queues.

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