'Privileged' - Stallholders at beloved Shropshire farmers' market react to national award shortlisting

Stallholders at a south Shropshire farmers’ market are over the moon after it was named as one of the best in the country.

Independent traders at the Local to Ludlow Producers’ Market have reacted with joy after the Farm Retail Association (FRA) shortlisted it for the 2027 Farmers Market of the Year award.

The south Shropshire market is going up against Creake Abbey Farmers Market in Norfolk and Stroud Farmers Market in Gloucestershire for the coveted title.

Local to Ludlow Producers’ Market runs every second and fourth Thursday of the month.

On Thursday, August 27, the Shropshire Star went down to Castle Square to talk to some of the stallholders who trade at the now nationally recognised market.

Asked about what she thinks makes the Ludlow farmers’ market so special, stallholder Erzsebet North-Csak of Wicton Farm in Bromyard said it was down to “people and real produce”.

She added: “Ludlow market is very special regardless of if it has been nominated or not.

“I can really see why it has been nominated. It is such a lovely community - trader and customer base wise. It is a real farmers’ market.”

Talking about how it feels to be a trader at a now nationally recognised market, Anne Pyatt of Cosy Kitchen, said she felt "privileged".

She added that she was "immensely proud” of all of her fellow stallholders.

She said: “Everybody works so hard and it is great to have an accolade like this - even if we do not win.”

Will Macken from Shropshire Salumi, which is based in Stapleton, has been trading at the Local to Ludlow Producers’ Market for more than 10 years.

Asked about what his message would be to those who have not browsed the market, he said: “Come and have a look. Come and talk to the producers - find out where your food comes from.”

Tom Flynn, who was operating Tuston Market Garden’s stall for the day, had recently come back from the Continent, where market culture is vibrant, and he said that he saw similarities with that same scene in Ludlow.

“I actually just moved from France where the market culture is really strong. It is good to find this in Ludlow.”

Tish Dockerty is the Local to Ludlow Producers’ Market manager - she is also a stallholder.

Summing up the reaction to the shortlisting, she echoed Anne Pyatt’s sentiments: “I think people are pleased - it is nice to be recognised, even if we do not get the final thing.”

On a personal note for Tish, managing the market is a tough gig, and she said the award shortlisting is a rewarding moment.

“It has been fulfilling. It is nice to be recognised, isn’t it? Because you just keep doing it and it is not the easiest of jobs to do,” she noted.

Tish added: “It is fulfilling enough in its own way to be fair. We are lucky to be able to do this.”

The winner of the 2027 Farmers Market of the Year award will be announced at the FRA’s awards dinner event next March.