Release Date:  17-Jun-2008

Bristol Farmers’ Market is set to celebrate its tenth anniversary on Wednesday 18 June 2008. Visitors on the day can join traders in the celebrations, which run from 9.30am to 2.30pm.

Shoppers can sample a piece of the special farmers’ market anniversary cake made by local traders, Country Markets. Also on offer will be a glass of locally produced Days Cottage apple juice.

As part of the celebrations the Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Christopher Davies, will be visiting the market and cutting the cake at 12noon.

Over the past ten years, hundreds of thousands of Bristolians and visitors to the city have enjoyed the best local, regional and seasonal produce - thanks to the hard work and dedication of farmers and producers from across the region and the city council’s own St Nicholas markets team.

Bristol’s Farmers’ Market was the first weekly farmers’ market to be established in the UK. It is renowned for its high-quality seasonal food with virtually everything on sale at the farmers’ market being sourced, reared, grown and produced from within a 40-mile radius of Bristol.

Ten of the original traders at the very first farmers’ market are still trading today - Gloucester Honey, Moorland Farm, Elm Tree Nursery, Bristol Beekeepers, Days Cottage, Druids Farm, Pullins Bakery, Besley Fruits, Country Markets (formerly the W.I.) and Arne Herbs.

Steve Morris, markets manager, said: “I’m very pleased and extremely proud to be celebrating ten years of first-class service to local people. And it’s all thanks to the traders and producers for their commitment and friendliness and thanks too - to the thousands of shoppers who have supported the market throughout.

“The enthusiasm of both shoppers and traders has helped establish Bristol’s farmers’ market as one of the best in the country. Over the years, Bristol’s award-winning farmers’ market has grown in size and now has over 30 regular traders, including several speciality and seasonal stalls.

“And that’s not all, the farmers’ market also has proved to be a real boost to the local economy. A recent study funded by the Commission for Rural Economies shows the weekly market is worth over £600,000 per annum to the local economy, providing a sustainable income to traders and building strong links between the city and rural areas.

“Finally I'd like to thank and congratulate everyone involved with Bristol Farmers Market over that last 10 years.”

Author:   Helen Hewitt, tel. 0117 922 2646

For all media enquiries relating to this press release, please contact Corporate Communications on 0117 922 2650.

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