Market manager Kardien Gerbrands talks about Swindon farmers' markets

TOWARDS the middle of April those of us who try to eat a local, British diet, eating whatever is in season in its season, get more than a little impatient for the return of the wondrous strawberry.

Each year, through the clever work of our farmers, we can expect to see the first crops emerging from the poly-tunnels and arriving on stalls at farmers’ markets whilst our own plants in the garden are only just showing some green leaves. It’s true that by now we’ve had a few rhubarb crumbles but the first fresh fruit of the year is an absolute delight.

As well as being delicious, strawberries are a superfood, meaning that they have lots of very beneficial properties for our health. They have acids in them that remove stains and keep your smile white, they help prevent heart attacks and protect against diabetes, they protect the skin cells from sun damage and they contain high levels of nitrate which has been shown to increase blood and oxygen flow to the muscles. Research suggests that people who load up on strawberries before exercising have greater endurance and burn more calories. On top of all this they are the only fruit to wear their seeds on the outside with over 200 of them on average!

And so, without further ado, I am delighted to announce the return of the Strawberry Stop to Swindon farmers’ market this Sunday. The recent temperature drop has slowed things down but here’s hoping they’ve got enough to go round this week. Find them at the Designer Outlet 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