By Carol Hodgson
Nestled in the picturesque Kirkstall Valley, just off the A65, Kirkstall Valley Farm provided the perfect setting for a wonderful community market.
Visitors enjoyed browsing the stalls, chatting to local traders and relaxing with friends and family in the sunshine.
Set in beautiful green surroundings, the family-friendly, community-focused market featured children’s activities and a variety of stalls including cheeses, trees and plants, jewellery, sweets, 3D laser printed toys and refreshments.
Community group Hookers and Clickers displayed a colourful collection of knitted and crocheted creations.
Matt Sykes showcased beautifully handcrafted items made from reclaimed wood, Needful Prints and SD3D Prints had a fantastic array of 3D figures, the Fruit Works brought a selection of locally grown fruit trees and a lady was selling her plants literally grown over the road from the farm.
Visitors also had the opportunity to chat to volunteers from the Rainbow Care Group for Dementia and the Rotary Club of Adventurers.
Kirkstall Valley Farm volunteer Carol Hodgson said: “It was a fabulous event with a real community vibe and the weather was perfect. It was nice to see everyone chatting to the stallholders, taking their time to linger and enjoying the space over a cuppa, lots of happy faces especially when people saw Emmanuelle’s incredible selection of cheeses and lovely to see excited children playing in the sand pit and playhouses!”
Emmanuelle Metz is a French cheesemonger, originally from Paris but now lives in Kirkstall. Her shop, METZ, is based at Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley. She has won various awards including the prestigious Best Display Champion category at the Great Yorkshire Show and took part in the Academy of Cheese Affineur of the Year competition and won the People’s Choice Award.
Emmanuelle said: “First edition of Kirkstall Market was an amazing experience! Bringing Artisan cheese to the local community in such a great environment and meeting people who are thrilled by having a local farm market is the aim of METZ.”
Kirkstall Valley Development Trust CEO Adele Rae said: “I’m really glad we’ve finally got the market up and running and to see people relaxing, chatting, and enjoying the farm as hoped. Next, we’ll build on that with new stalls, live music, and hopefully Leodis Forest School activities so children are entertained while parents and carers browse. It’s still early days, but I’m excited to see it grow into a great day out that brings people together.”
Following the success of their first event, organisers look forward to welcoming more visitors and traders to future markets.
Let’s create something special for the community at Kirkstall Valley Farm!
Next market is on Saturday, 22 August, 10.30am to 2.30pm at Kirkstall Valley Farm LS4 2QD.
Traders sought
Organisers are looking for local makers, bakers, growers, crafters, independent traders and small businesses to join us at our next market.
- When: Fourth Saturday each month, next one Sat 22nd Aug.
- Introductory Pitch Offer: Standard stalls usually £30 but for the rest of the year there’s an introductory price of £20 per stall per market.
- Catering and Street Food Traders: Contact for details and availability.
- Register here: https://forms.gle/aMwcQNc6E9FcjNKg7
- Need more information? Contact adele.rae@kvdt.org.uk.
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