Market manager Kardien Gerbrands talks about Swindon farmers' markets

WITH all the bombardment of the brain by the frankly outrageous happenings on the world stage at the moment it is hard to focus on the simple things in life and the things that nourish us — our relationships, our communities, our food.

Life is full of beauty and powerful experience when we can be in the moments as they come and go; but in the current frenzy it is hard to stay focused and all too easy to get swallowed up in the negative thinking that is rife.

So how delighted was I to find, on my return from retreat, a simple and delicious meal set before me by my wonderful partner, constructed entirely from the produce at the vegetable stalls at the market. Food grown by people we have now known for 10 years and more, who we trust to provide us with the very best.

The way forward for our dark times is community, shared ideals, working together towards solutions that benefit all, love and respect for our fellow beings with whom we share our gracious mother earth. Our farmers’ market embodies these ideals every Sunday.

So what was this wonderful dish? It was a simple roasted butternut squash soup, made with onions, garlic and fresh chillies with grated cheddar stirred through to give a little tang to the mild heat from the chillies and sweet thickness of the squash and onions, served with a couple of slices of La Parisienne sourdough.

As JRR Tolkien said: “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

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