Special day at Farmers Market (From Western Telegraph)

Special day at Farmers Market

Shoppers are being urged to fall in love with local food when they attend a Farmers Market Harvest Fayre in Haverfordwest on Friday.

The special Farmers Market is being held to mark September as Farmers Market Month throughout the UK.

The twice-monthly markets, held on the Riverside Quay, are a popular attraction for locals and visitors alike, offering a variety of Pembrokeshire produce.

Pembrokeshire County Councils food and craft officer, Kate Morgan, said the harvest fayre would celebrate the food and cultural traditions of the season.

Although no foot and mouth disease cases have been reported in Pembrokeshire, the epidemic has had a devastating effect on rural business. The Farmers Market in Haverfordwest was also affected and had to close during the worst of the crisis.

The market represents the light at the end of the tunnel for many small producers. It provides an opportunity for farmers and growers to diversify and become profitable.

Kate will be providing cookery demonstrations at 11 am, 12.30 pm and 2 pm.

Other attractions include a best-dressed stand holder at 11.30 am and at 12 noon a harvest prayer and address by the Rev Canon Michael Butler, vicar of St Issells, Saundersfoot, and St Elidyrs, Amroth, who is chaplain to the chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Mrs Rosemary Hayes, who will also be present. At 1 pm Spittal School Folk Dancers will entertain shoppers, while the popular Fishguard-based folk group, East of Erin, will be playing in and around the market area.

The event will be announced on the streets of Haverfordwest by local Town Crier David Rye.

The fayre, which runs from 9 am to 3 pm, will also provide a chance to win a hamper of fresh seasonal produce provided by stall holders, by guessing the weight of a pumpkin.

Shoppers will be able to enjoy a bowl of home-made harvest soup with homemade bread or a ploughmans platter at the Rendezvous coffee shop in the Ocky White department store, or a free range egg and bacon bap from the Wimpy restaurant - all produce freshly bought at the market.