Farmers urge officials to help Knutsford event survive recession (From Knutsford Guardian)

4:53pm Thursday 9th July 2009

FARMERS who sell their produce at markets have urged officials to help a Knutsford event survive the recession.

Tim Harrison, who grows organic produce at Abbey Lees Farm, said there had been a dip in takings at the monthly market.

“We still have the diehard regular customers, but you don’t get the casual ones,” he said.

“Some people might not know you’re there.”

Abbey Lees, of Peacock Lane in High Legh, makes about 30 to 40 per cent of its profits from farmers’ markets.

Mr Harrison said his farm still liked to support the Knutsford event, which has about 18 stalls in Silk Mill Street, despite the loss of trade.

“It’s our local one,” he said.

“All the farmers markets have dipped.”

Stall holder Jane Clarkson left Knutsford Farmer’s Market about six months ago because she was not getting enough customers.

Last week she said she would not return to the event unless council officials could promote it more and attract extra visitors.

“It would have to show some marked improvements,” she said.

Mrs Clarkson’s husband Brian was brought up in Over Peover, where his family farmed.

The couple had sold produce at Knutsford farmer’s market for about eight years.

But she said the promotion, popularity and state of the event had steadily gotten worse.

“I was very sorry to stop going really,” she said.

“It was one of my best markets at one time.”

Mrs Clarkson tried to get council officials at the former ruling authority - Macclesfield Borough Council - to improve the situation.

But she claimed their efforts had not brought about enough changes.

“You’ve got to keep pushing to make sure people come,” she said.

“I’m sure people’s spending power at the moment doesn’t help.”

Mrs Clarkson sells organic beef, lamb and pork.

About four years ago she set up her own market at her farm in North Road, Gawsworth.

The event now has about 45 stalls holders who attend every month.

“I know what hard work it is and what hard work you have to put in,” she said.

Knutsford Farmers’ Market is held from 9am to 3pm on the first Saturday of every month.

Abbey Lees holds its own farmers’ market on the first Sunday of each month.

Cloverbank Farmers’ Market is held in North Rode near Gawsworth every third Saturday in the month from 8.30am to 12.30pm.

AN author who grew up in Toft will launch his next book at a farmers’ market.

John Lea plans to read exerts of A Rural Meander at Cloverbank Organic Farm in North Rode near Gawsworth on Saturday July 18.

The readings will take place at 9.30am, 10.15am and 11.00am.

Mr Lea grew up and farmed at Fingerpost Farm in Toft.

His tales about the Cheshire countryside are complemented by his wife Celia’s photography.

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