Market's 12th Birthday - June 2010

We celebrated our 12th birthday in June 2010, with a celebration cake. We were delighted to have Mid Devon District Councillor and Chairman of Trustees for the Walronds Preservation Trust Jane Campbell to cut our cake. Jane has been a supporter of the market since it started 12 years ago, and a key figure in the regeneration of Cullompton Town Centre. It was the Cullompton Regeneration Group which originally set up the Farmers' Market.

As with previous years, the weather did not let us down, with glorious sunshine for the whole morning.

Market wins Devon Life Award 2009 - October 2009

Cullompton Farmers’ Market has been voted the Best Farmers’ Market in Devon. This is the second year the market has been in the finals of the Devon Life Food and Drink Awards.

At the presentation of the Award held at Sandy Park, Exeter, on the 22nd October, Dorothy Anderson, Chairman said she was thrilled that the Market had won this year, and thanked the customers for voting, and the team for managing the market. Cullompton Farmers’ Market was the first farmers’ market to be started in the South West. It is also the only one in the country to be set up by volunteers and not a local authority. It is made up of some of Devon’s Finest Producers.

Wishing to be part of the Market’s success, following the Award Ceremony, we immediately had a prospective producer wishing to join the market. Anyone interested in having a stall at the market can obtain details and an application form from here.

Pictured are Jenny Radford (Treasurer), Dorothy Anderson (Chairman) and Donna Lucking (Secretary).

Market's 11th Birthday - June 2009

June 2009 saw the celebration of the Market's 11th Birthday. We were entertained during the morning by members of Cullompton Ace Majorettes, and then BBC Radio Devon Breakfast Show presenter Matt Woodley, cut our birthday cake to officially mark our celebration.

Matt had included features on local produce and farmers' markets on his Countywide Breakfast show in the days leading up to market, which may have accounted for the good turnout on the day.

The sun shone for us for the whole market, adding to the pleasant atmosphere, while shoppers enjoyed the local seasonal produce available.

Pictured here with Matt is the Market's chair Dorothy Anderson, and members of Cullompton Ace Majorettes.

Royal Visit - September 2008

In September 2008, we were very fortunate to have a visit from the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. Market Founder Tracy Frankpitt escorted the Prince of Wales on a tour of the stalls while treasurer Jenny Radford did likewise with the Duchess of Cornwall.

Mrs Frankpitt said: “Prince Charles is incredibly knowledgeable about farming and food. “He often compared some of the stall holders’ experiences with his at his farm at Highgrove. He really put people at their ease and spent most of his time joking and laughing.”

The royal couple shook hands and talked to members of the public at the market and accepted cards and gifts from well-wishers.

They also tasted wild food dishes produced by Chris Archambault, Chef at Hotel Barcelona and a Cullompton resident. Barbara Clift, a Kentisbeare willow artist, discussed the use of willow with the Prince of Wales.

Plymtree School choir entertained everyone with a medley of harvest songs.

Mrs Frankpitt said: “The producers did not sell as much as usual as most people at the market were just there to see the Royal couple.

“They didn’t mind at all as they all had a great chat with the future monarch and the publicity the visit has generated is immense. All of our stall holders understand how publicity brings in more customers.”

The visit concluded when nine-year-old Georgina Frankpitt presented the Prince of Wales with two farmers’ market bags filled with produce from all the stallholders and eight-year-old Imogen Billington presented the Duchess of Cornwall with a posy of flowers.

“It really was an amazing day,” added Mrs Frankpitt. “The sun shone, the crowds came out and the Royal couple stayed at the market for over an hour. How can we ever top this?”