New market for Barnoldswick (From Lancashire Telegraph)

New market for Barnoldswick

6:30pm Friday 27th August 2010 in

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A MARKET is set to return to Barnoldswick for the first time in decades - thanks to an allotments boom.

The success of plots such as Coates Estate and fledgling schemes for Greenberfield Lane and Cemetery Road, Earby, has led to a new market and exchange being set up at the Rainhall Centre.

Tomorrow marks the launch of the initiative, which centre bosses hope will lead to a green revolution in West Craven.

Centre manager Ann Whittaker said: “It is the first time that we have attempted something like this and we hope that the whole community will support us.”

Allotment holders are not allowed to sell on their produce but they exchange their produce with like-minded market gardeners at the venture.

Homegrown wares can be sold and the centre will take 10 per cent of the profits from traders to keep the market up and running.

Mrs Whittaker added: “Everything has to be homegrown. If a charity or church group wanted to have a stall then we would waive the 10 per cent charge.”

In future months a series of horticultural and natural talks are planned for the gathering, which will take place on the last Saturday of every month.

For September the focus will be on beekeeping and a lecture on handicrafts is planned for October, as the exchange has a craft fair running alongside it.

Further events in the new year will concentrate on the merits of propagation.

Coun David Whipp, chairman of the centre’s board, said: “We have had some contintental markets in Barnoldswick but we have not had a properr market for decades.

“The intention is to service the growing number of allotment holders who grow a massive amount of fruit and vegetables and need somewhere to pass on their produce.”

The market and exchange will run from 11am until 2pm at the Rainhall Road venue.