Every week in Rye News we’re featuring a local voluntary group or charity who are looking for new members. This week it’s turn of the Rye Country Market which meets at the Community Centre each Friday between March and mid December. If you can help, just pop in.
A little over 100 years ago the very first WI market set up stall in Lewes as an outlet for farmers’ wives and home bakers to sell their produce under a unified banner. Since then, WI markets became a national institution across England, Wales and Ireland, and have evolved into the co-operative organisation now known as Country Markets Ltd. However, due to cultural changes and more women working full time nowadays, the numbers of essential producers has declined – stay-at-home parents who would cook, craft and grow slowly became a demographic sector of retired grandparents.
In parallel, the customers of country markets also became largely retired folk or those able to get away from working from home for a few minutes in the daytime to nip into a weekday market. Traditionally, the markets have generally taken place on weekdays, weekends being reserved for family time amongst the producers, and Rye Country Market (Rye CM) is no exception.
For many years Rye CM has been the model of excellence for the other country markets in Sussex; sadly, the loss of many producers has led to the closure of many markets, not just in Sussex, but across the regions. However, independent produce and craft markets are springing up in villages and towns, all of which make a contribution to their local economy, despite many of their goods being bought in and sold by re-sellers.
At Rye CM, customers buy their goods direct from the producer, knowing that everything comes having travelled no more than 15 miles from the point at which it was cooked, crafted or grown. You could help to keep this valuable facet of our community continuing in Rye.
Would you like to join us? We are a friendly bunch of men and women of all ages. Some of us are active producers whilst others are voluntary helpers. Although the market is every Friday morning from March to mid-December we don’t expect everyone to turn up every week, we welcome all support, no matter how little. Perhaps you grow plants, veg, fruit or flowers that you would be happy to sell through the market; maybe you enjoy baking to the point where you produce more than you can eat, or are you a talented arts and crafter looking for an outlet for your work. You could take home up to 90% of your price tag, and it costs a mere 5p to join this co-operative enterprise.
If you are not familiar with our market just drop into the Community Centre at the bottom of Conduit Hill any Friday morning between 10 and 11.30 to see what goes on. You’ll be sure of a warm welcome.
If you’re local group needs more volunteers too, get in touch with Rye News as we are keen to help. Our email is info@ryenews.org.uk
Image Credits: Maggie Whitaker .