Click on the Case Studies below to see the difference that Cheshire Rural Trust can make:

• Agricultural Chaplaincy

• Farmers Market

• Henbury Millenium Green

Vale Royal Certified Farmers’ Market

WHEN Chester farmers market finished at Christmas 1999 the regular traders were very disappointed – but not deterred. They got together at Eddisbury Fruit Farm in Kelsall and decided to continue it there.

Unfortunately, with lack of basic equipment like tables and chairs, organiser Monica Haworth, of Eddisbury Fruit Farm, was forced to hire them in every month.

She said: “While we were trying to keep the costs as low as possible we were forced to pass on the costs of hiring equipment to the traders each month which were quite steep.
“Someone mentioned Cheshire Rural Trust so we decided to apply and were delighted to be awarded £2,000 to buy our own equipment, meaning we could keep stall costs to just £10 which goes towards advertising the market.”

And the Trust’s grant paid off. The Farmers Market, which is held on the third Saturday of every month, has gone from strength to strength with around two dozen regular traders selling their wares.

Monica said: “It seems such a small thing, but for people selling their produce keeping stall fees affordable makes a huge difference to their success.

“It’s also now providing a wonderful focal point for producers and market visitors. The market opens at 10am but visitors are beginning to come earlier and having a cup of tea and breakfast while they watch the market setting up.

“They love the camaraderie between traders and the activity – and so do the stall holders. For many of us it’s an important social as well as selling event.”

Vale Royal Farmers Market has now become one of the county’s best showcases for local produce and stall include:

• Chirk Trout
• Organic eggs and vegetables
• Locally reared meat including wild boar and goat
• Cheshire cheese
• Bread and jams using locally grown produce
• Fudge
• Yoghurt
• Honey
• Craft stalls selling cards, aprons and clothing knitted from locally reared Jacobs’ sheep.

Monica said: “It’s wonderful to have a place were small local producers can come together and show off the finest Cheshire produce on a regular basis and demonstrate the high quality of farming that goes on here.

“We even have some of the finest olive oil in Europe on sale. Obviously it’s not grown in Cheshire but the woman who owns the olive groves lives in the Wirral and goes back every year to personally oversee the harvest and the olive oil production. It’s cold pressed extra virgin olive oil and has to be tasted to be believed!

“We are very Grateful to Cheshire Rural Trust because relatively small grants can make a huge difference to helping local producers thrive in challenging times.”

To find out more about Vale Royal Farmers Market visit www.eddisbury.net