Tadpole Farm Market hailed a community success story

Tadpole Farm market has returned after a short winter break.

The increasingly popular local market is held in the car park of the Strawberry Thief pub on the first Sunday of the month between March and November. 

The Market began in 2020 after a member of the Tadpole Garden Village (TGV)  In Bloom gardening club, Coral Van Der Kamp, had an idea to help bring the newly-created community together.

Coral suggested holding a small market in the village allotments, offering plants and produce from the allotments for donations alongside wares from local bakers and crafters. The market was so successful that it became a regular event.

Coral managed to keep the market going during the covid pandemic, when it was once again possible to meet outside. This prevented members of the community from feeling quite so isolated and gave the local small businesses a financial life line during those difficult times. 

The market grew in popularity and size, eventually outgrowing the small allotment site.

Kraig Day and Caroline Penrose took over the reins from Coral and the market found a new home in the car park of the newly built Strawberry Thief pub.

Today the market is still very much a community-minded venture, with all the funds raised going directly back into the local community.

The fee for running a stall at the event is a nominal £5. This money goes directly back into the local community via TGV in Bloom, the community gardening club run by Pete Welsh. The club uses the money to buy plants and planters for the village.

These funds also supported larger projects around the village last year including the Thankful Village Memorial, the greenhouse, planters, spring bulbs and the hanging baskets. 

Market organiser Kraig said: “When the market moved from the allotments to the Strawberry Thief overflow car park it was a fairly easy process”

“The pub landlords, Tom and Mairead Titcombe, are so supportive of the local community and TGV in Bloom and they will do all they can to support us.

"The local councillors did help with a small issue at the back end of last year where an issue was raised and they supported us through to ensure the markets could continue in 2024. 

“The local community have been extremely supportive and really love having these amazing local small businesses come to tadpole and share their incredible products.” 

The market today has over 50 stalls which are run by members of the local community as well as local buisnesses. Produce from the Tadpole Farm allotments is still avaliable via the Pot 32 stall, alongside bacon sandwiches. 

Stalls include hand woven baskets, beautifully hand-crafted crochet toys, dog treats, cards, gifts and a wide variety of food vendors.

The market offers a huge selection of unusual, local handmade products that are not avaliable elsewhere. 

Tadpole resident, Jo Plumridge, who runs a bunting and soft furnishing stall, said: "It's great to be able to do a market so close to home and to meet members of my own community."

Stall holder Lisa Stranks said: "I started developing my interest in Pyrography and later Crochet after I was reluctantly forced to give up work due to ill health. Both crafts allow me to focus my attention and control my pain levels.

"Community markets are very important for me to show that there is a way to put a smile on someone's face even if you struggle with a condition.

"Many people suffer from ill health and disabilities that are not always obvious, Community markets allow people like myself to embrace there hidden talents and produce wonderful items. They also help to bring people together and through conversation can create a better understanding of disability related issues."

Kraig said: “I would love to say a huge thank you to each and everyone who supported us and made these markets happen.

"A very special thank you Tom and Mairead Titcombe from the Strawberry Thief, the stall holders and everyone who attends making every stall holder smile as their products are loved and enjoyed. 

“It makes Caroline and I smile every time the clock turns 10am on market day and we see people arrive, they are always so happy and enjoy the atmosphere. Our stallholders always comment how friendly the market is and how lovely it is to meet so many wonderful people.

“Some of our stallholders have wonderful stories of how they got into their crafts [and] businesses. They are all so inspiring to follow their passions and dreams."

This years dates are 7 April, 5 May, 2 June, 7 July, 4 August, 8 September, 6 October and 3 November.

For more information about the market or to book a pitch, people can contact Kraig via Facebook group TGV Community Markets.