Message from our founder
Message from June Chadband, Founding Market Manager,
Well I am sure you must get fed up with me saying pretty much the same thing each month, but here goes. Once again it was a fantastic market today!
So many of you came and gave your support like you usually do, and I thank you on behalf of the stallholders for that. Many of the stallholders ‘sold out’, with Daran selling 80 free range chickens before 11 a.m, I think that is a record for him. Obviously the dry sunny weather helped.
For me the families who bring the children is a bonus, but iit is also lovely to see shoppers of all ages come together to enjoy the market. The children can see that not everything is repackaged, after all they will be the shoppers of the future.
Thank you to Hazel, selling the eggs & honey for the CRA, she sold 45 dozen by 11.15 a.m Daran for his support to me on social media, with a huge thank you to the men who prepare the site for the stallholders each month. The market would not be able to run without them.
I really mean that. Their help is invaluable to the community.
We are one of the longest running farmers’ markets in Kent. Wye was established in 1999, Rochester & West Mailing in 2000 and Cliftonville in September 2001. I think I am right in saying, that we are the oldest community run market in Kent.
We are not a CIC, we are just a constituted residents’ group, founded in January 1996, (27 years) working for the community and giving our time for free. We decided to call the market, Cliftonville Farmers’ Market and picked the last Sunday of the month. It started with just 6 stalls. We have always kept to the tradition of a FM, being predominantly, food, drink & plants. We do have a couple of craft stalls.
After the community asset transfer in July 2021, we had to find a new home and move from the Oval Lawns, where we had held events from 1996. With the help of local Councillor Cedric Towning, we found this new site.
The market has doubled to 40 – 43 stalls per month. We have kept on trend, with all our lovely vegan stalls. In fact, we have a fantastic selection of produce sold at the market, to suit all tastes.
Along the way we have won 9 prestigious awards, winning ‘Best in Kent’ on six occasions. In January this year, we reached the ‘Top 3’ in Farm Retail Associations awards, covering the whole of the UK, in the F.M category. As you can imagine, we are so proud of all these accolades. We are, after all, just a community group.
For three hours, on the last Sunday of the month, the community of all ages including dogs, are brought together, to meet up, chat, picnic, shop and support the artisans & small businesses.
You could not ask for anything more heart warming.
Thank you to all the stallholders & volunteers, but most of all, our loyal shoppers, there would not be a market without you.
.
Many thanks,
June Chadband,
Market Manager,
CFM