14/4/2007 - Derbys, Leics, and Notts - Latest News on the Best Food Produced within Yards of Your House!
Local Produce News From Foodclose.co.uk
Castle Donington Farmers' Market's 5th Birthday Special
This month we focus on a special day for Castle Donington Farmers' Market which has now been in operation for five years. It is held on the 2nd Saturday of every month. Today the event was marked with the usual excellent range of stalls together with a rather unique opportunity to practice milking a cow!
Baldfields Farm brought their Milking Experience to the market in the shape of a replica cow with working udders. Those assuming milking was a piece of cake were in for a surprise, however the local children attending the market were very keen and were soon learning how milk starts its journey from cow to bottle. Visitors to the market were also able to pick up useful information about farming, the meager income farmers are receiving from the supermarkets for milk and about the Red Tractor standard for produce.
The market began five years ago with five stalls including Combs Farm meats, 19 Gales bread, Jacksons Fruit & Vegetables and Baldfields Farm who are still in attendance today. The market initiative began with a village appraisal that found that with the local village store closing, there was a need for local people to be able source local products once more. Peggy Beddoe, one of the members of the co-operative that initiated the market, commented that when managing a Farmers' Market , "You've got to grow it gradually, you have to attract the producers in order to attract the customers and vice versa". It can seem rather like a chicken and egg style challenge, but the team have managed to secure a full compliment of 16 regular stallholders since their smaller scale beginnings. "Producers say it is a friendly market and they like coming here because of the customers".
The market managers are keen to make the market a true community event that is more than simply a Farmers' Market. Refreshments and cakes are available in the St Edwards Primary School where the market is held and is a regular meeting place for local people. A small number fo bric-a-brac and second hand books stalls also feature next to the market that often in support of good causes. The Castle Donington Museum has also decided to open its doors on the Saturday when the market is held so that visitors can find out more about the area.
You can view more pictures and the list of stallholders on the Foodclose Castle Donington Farmers' Market page . You can also contact 01332 810537 or 01332 850723.
Local Farmers Markets
(Check dates and times with in the local press before setting off to avoid disappointment!):
1st Week of the Month
2nd Week of the Month
3rd Week of the Month
4th Week of the Month
Food Festivals, Fairs and Events 2007
Derbyshire Food and Drink Fair - 19th /20th May 2007 TBC
http://www.derbyshirefoodfestival.co.uk/ (not yet updated for 2007)
Newark - Mid May and Notts County Show
http://www.newarkshowground.com/cs_home.htm
Derbyshire - 24th June 2007 County Show
http://www.derbyshirecountyshow.org.uk/
Ashby De La Zouch Show - Mid July
http://www.ashbyshow.com/
Bakewell Show - Wednesday 01 & Thursday 02 August 2007.
http://www.bakewellshow.org
Ecofest - Saturday 8th September 2007 to Sunday 10th September TBC
http://www.veggies.org.uk/event.php?ref=573
East Midlands - Early October Food Festival
http://www.eastmidlandsfoodfestival.co.uk/
East Midlands - Mid December Vegan Food Fair
Real Ale Festivals:
19-23 Apr - Bold Foresters Beer-Fest - Mansfield.
20-21 Apr - Mallard Beer-Fest - Worksop.
20-22 Apr - King William Beer-Fest - Milford.
20-22 Apr - Harrington Beer-Fest - Thulston.
20-23 Apr - Steampacket Beer-Fest - Swanwick.
23 Apr - 7 May - Wetherspoons Beer Fest - Most outlets.
3-5 May - Old Oak Beer-Fest - HorsleyWoodhouse.
3-7 May - Telford Beer-Fest - Crown Inn.
4-7 May - Wheel Beer-Fest - Holbrook.
4-7 May - Marquis of Granby Beer-Fest - Granby, Notts.
18-19 May - Ilkeston Beer-Fest - Regency Rooms.
18-19 May - Rail Ale Beer-Fest - Barrow Hill.
18-20 May - Blue Bell Beer-Fest - Bolsover.
19 May - Matlock Beer-Fest - Rugby Club.
24-26 May - Lincoln Beer-Fest - Drill Hall.
25-27 May - AlfretonTown Beer-Fest- FootballClub.
25-27 May - Newark Beer-Fest - Riverside Park.
25-28 May - Prince of Wales Beer-Fest - Spondon
25-28 May - Stag Beer-Fest - Kimberley.
31-2 Jun - Delapre Abbey Beer-Fest - Northampton
31-3 Jun - Ruddington Beer-Fest - WhiteHorse/Three Crowns.
7-10 Jun - Ashfield Beer-Fest - Newstead Miners Welfare.
17th Jun - Bells Brewery Beer-Fest - Lutterworth, Leicestershire.
22-23 Jun - Welland Valley Beer-Fest - Around 8 pubs.
11-15 July - Derby Beer-Fest - Assembly Rooms.
From the Foodclose Mailbag:
"Thank you for your excellent support at the 'End of March' sale, when [customers] purchased almost a whole animal. I have had more than the usual number of comments on the excellent eating quality of that meat, which is really exciting and very rewarding. Thank you. Although there is very little left of that animal, I do have a selection of beef the freezer, which includes:
- Barbeque / minute steak
- Slow Roasts & Brisket
- Stewing and Braising Beef
- Mince
Try this Chiltern Country Pie recipe. It is particularly delicious (of course), when made with my Longhorn mince.
Rob Jeffery"
Note: Rob Jeffery’s Next Organic Beef Sale is happening on the 25th and 26th May at Aston House Farm, Sudbury, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 5AG.
| 
