Market manager Kardien Gerbrands talks about Swindon farmers' markets

AND so December is almost upon us once again.

Of course you want the best and freshest produce for what most Brits think of as the best meal of the year and where better than the farmers’ market where seasonal eating is our speciality?

Hinton Marsh farm will be taking orders for turkeys, geese, chickens, joints, bangers, chipolatas, bacon, gammon and anything else you may desire.

Julian Harvard and Jolly Holly will be covering the festive decorations department with table decorations, wreaths and fresh holly and mistletoe, whilst over at Styans the now synonymous log reindeer will be making their presence felt.

Throughout December our two regular craft stalls Aristone garden ornaments and Vineyard Pottery will be tempting you with their wares.

In my family our parents always liked to have pickled eggs and onions for snacking on during the movies on TV over Christmas and they absolutely love Auntie Caroline’s stall at the market. There are various sizes of jars of both available including the half-gallon “Flatulent Family-Size” jars of pickled onions — the equivalent of seven jars’ worth; one for every day of the week!

But this week’s Manager’s Choice has to be the “Shockingly Good Shallots” — shallots pickled in balsamic vinegar. These are slightly sweeter than traditional pickled onions and highly addictive! When you’ve finished with the jar (it won’t take long), keep all the spices in, fill it up with olive oil, and give it a good shake for perfect salad dressing! Come and see us at the Outlet every Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

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