The Farmers’ Market has come a long way since the meeting to set it up, organised by Christopher Strangeways, took place at the River Haven Hotel in 2001.
The market began later that year at Strand Quay. Christopher helped run the market for the next few years and it prospered until 2008, at one time having 17 stallholders. The recession and poor economic conditions since then hurt the market, but since 2018, when Eric Chauvel took over the organising, things have improved.
The move to the garden of the Cinque Ports pub in February this year, through the archway to the right of the pub on Cinque Ports Street or via a pedestrian gate from the Cattle Market car park, has increased footfall and a great range of high-quality products from local stallholders means a visit is well worthwhile.
Phil from Hunts Hill Orchards sells eggs from his small flock of free-range hens, with a wide range of homemade jams and cakes, including festive specials such as mincemeat and Christmas puddings.
Andrew from Low Wood Nursery in Kent has a range of perennials, shrubs, trees and roses as well as seasonal bulbs. Darren from VJ Game and Sussex Smokers carries a wide range of sausages, burgers, game along with smoked fish and meat.
Andrew, Darren and Phil have been with the market since it began.
Contain Yourself, run by Elly, is a refill station that lets you refill your existing containers with a wide range of products like household cleaners, hand wash, fabric conditioner, laundry liquid along with body wash, shampoos and hair conditioner.
Eric, the market organiser, runs the French Delicatessen, selling a wide variety of high-quality continental meats and cheeses along with locally sourced bread.
Dee sells handmade gemstone jewellery, along with decorative scarves, all of which she creates herself. Her online store can be found here.
Peter from the Proper Tea Co. is an independent tea merchant who invites you to Unleash the Leaf with a wide range of regular and specialist teas available both at the market and online. Peter attends the market every other week.
New stall holders are welcome and should contact Eric for more details. In the next few weeks Tanya from Sweet Cakes Bakery will be joining the team and will start supplying various baked goods including croissant, cakes, muffins, buns and brioche.
The market is open every Wednesday from 10am to noon, why not visit next week?
Source: Rye Farmers’ Market
Image Credits: Rye News library .
Good to see the Rye Farmers Market promoted. Their new venue is now a very attractive place to shop from personal stall holders who know their stock..
Peter of Proper tea company…knows all his teas..which he blends , make a delicious pot or cup of tea and great presents…he has tea pots and strainers as No Tea bags….taste the difference…
Darren’s Game stall has delicious smoked fish, Boar Sausages, venison of various cuts and so much more…no factory farming…Elly’s Contain yourself makes cleaning and grooming safer for the planet.
Andrews plants and bulbs are first class and Dees hand made Jewellery is sure to please..Philip’s wife’s home made christmas puddings are the best..round it off with a taste of France.
Why not make a visit. Make your weekly or indeed your Christmas shopping hassle free…
Glad to see that the Market has made a successful transition across the A259.
In the very early days of Transition Rye, in 2012 when the nascent Food Group was formed, a suggestion was made to the various stall-holders that the Strand Quay location was perhaps not the best but very idea of relocating to a more customer-friendly location – such as the Cinque Port Street car-park – was dismissed out of hand!
Another example of just how trying it can be to engender progressive change in Rye?