On the second Saturday of every month the village of Offham hosts a Farmers’ market with a difference. Like most markets, you’ll find an excellent selection of local producers and you can buy everything you need, from meat, cheese and fish to bread, chocolate, olives and fudge. However, unlike any other, it is run by Spadework, a Kent training centre for adults with learning and other disabilities.
The market, which consists of 30 stalls of food and craft from the best local producers, has doubled in size since its launch in March 2013 and now regularly features live music and cookery demonstrations. All pitch fees go directly to the charity, as do the proceeds from the Spadework stall, which sells craft items, apple juice, fresh produce and pickles and preserves which have been produced by the 90 plus trainees who regularly attend the centre.
“We had to cancel the February market because our field was too wet to use as a car park” says Spadework’s General Manager, Camilla Medhurst “so we are hoping that this Saturday (March 8th) will be busier than ever to make up for it. We rely on the market to attract extra visitors to our site and boost sales in our Garden Centre, Café and Farm Shop which all help to fund the charity. “ Farmers’ Market organiser Richard Perton is upbeat about the event: “We have more new stalls than ever this month, including fishmonger Steve Theobald, Winterdale cheese, and Harnell Cottage gluten free bakery, and we’re really hoping the weather will be on our side this month.“ You can find out more about Offham Farmers’ market from the Spadework or KFMA websites, or from their Facebook page: OffhamFMSpadework .
For more information please call 01732 870 002 and ask to speak to Camilla or Richard.
To visit Spadework’s page, click here
