First farmers’ market in rain

HUNDREDS of people attended Sonning Common’s first farmers’ market on the rainy May bank holiday.

The event took place in Millennium Field off Peppard Road and featured about 30 stalls from local food and drink producers as well as live music and Morris dancing.

It was organised by George King, 50, sales manager at the Abbeycrest care home, which is next to the park in Essex Way.

Artisan producers that attended included the Henley Gin Distillery, the Loddon Brewery in Dunsden, the Marlow Cheese Company, Jenny’s Bees selling honey, Eadles Butcher in Beckley and Compassionate Loaf, a charity baking initiative based at Springwater Church in Peppard Road, selling fresh bread.

Musicians who are regulars at Peppard Unplugged, a monthly music night held at the War Memorial Hall in Gallowstree Road, performed. They included Graham Swannell, Paul Grant, Robert Buttrick, Kristin King, Hugh Spalding, Sara Daniels, Undercurrent, Jonny Bidgood, Out on Licence, Steve Daniels and Coolerators.

The Ellington Morris Dancers, a traditional Morris Dance team from Maidenhead, also performed. Mr King said: “It was absolutely fabulous with a superb response from the local community. A number of the stallholders actually sold out. It was really well attended and the general feedback was that it was a superb event.

“It was truly a fun day made even better with the musicians. We are hoping to do this again on perhaps a more regular basis later this year. It involved a lot of hard work but was so worth it and very rewarding.”

Mr King first had the idea for the event after having a conversation with Abbeycrest resident Annie Wilson, 86, in which they chatted about the loss of independent food producers from the high street. Sonning Common parish councillor Vicky Boorman said: “It was a fantastic event and so lovely to see so many people attend on what was quite a wet day.”

Chris Bell, foreman of the Ellington Morris Dancers, said: “We’re celebrating 50 years this year, so events like these are always fun. Considering the weather, the turnout was great.”

Ellen Whysall, 21, who works in events and sales at the Henley Distillery, said: “It was really good. There was a lovely crowd.”

The market featured food vendors selling Korean street food, burgers, curries and coffee.

There were also stalls selling skincare products, a dog grooming tent and information stalls from the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust and the Fish volunteer centre in Lea Road, Sonning Common.

Sara Taylor, 59, who lives in Ashford Avenue, was selling plants. She said: “I grow and sell plants from my own garden. People have been lovely.”

Fellow Sonning Common resident Jane Hale, 66, said: “It was lovely to see so many people there. I hope they continue to do it.”