Provide it and they will come!
A pub in Breage near Helston in Cornwall is starting a monthly farmer’s market in the pub’s adjacent field along with a community allotment with the help of Pub is The Hub.
The first one will take place at the Queen’s Arms on Saturday 22 July from 12 midday until 3pm and after that they will take place on the last Saturday of each month.
Jodie Phillips and Neil Barku, who have been running the pub for the last two years came up with the idea to create a regular community event that local people and visitors would enjoy and one that showcases local suppliers and artistic talent. At the same time they want to offer local people the chance to use some of their spare land as allotments.
They contacted the Pub is The Hub advisor for the South West, Reg Clarke, to put the scheme together and the organisation is providing a grant from its Community Services Fund to support the cost of the stall tables and chairs and some cover for bad weather along with some additional allotment equipment.
Each allotment plot costs a nominal £1 a year rent on the proviso that gardeners donate at least 10% of produce to the pub; whether that’s vegetables, fruit or flowers. Stalls are being provided free of charge to the stallholders at the farmers’ markets.
Jodie said: “We are lucky at the Queen’s Arms, we have lots of space with our field so we were thrilled when Reg said he could help our dream to become a reality. We wanted to do something like this for the community so the monthly farmers’ markets gives local farmers, artists and craft suppliers another sales outlet as well as an enjoyable afternoon out for visitors while our allotment plots feel like a great way to do something for our local residents.”
Reg Clarke, the regional advisor from Pub is The Hub added: “Jodie and Neil have worked hard to appeal to local customers as well as visitors and this scheme is an ideal way to make the most of space that they already have at the pub. I love the idea that the produce from allotments will make its way onto the pub menu.”
The next Farmers’ Market after the launch one will take place on Saturday 26th August 2017.
