It may not be obvious from the weather, but Spring is here!  The wait is over for that great favourite English Asparagus.  Woodside Farm have confirmed to us that their crop is ready and so you can treat yourself together with some delicious rapeseed oil mayonnaise from Yorkshire Rapeseed of Malton.  What could be a more perfect start to a meal?

Woodside will also have early crop rhubarb this month.  Have you tried rhubarb with mackerel or lamb?  A wonderful combination of flavours popular in fine restaurants.

Local grown strawberries from East Yorkshire Strawberries  are always a favourite.  Make sure you don’t miss out!  Last month they were all gone by 11am!

Sawley Kitchen,a small family bakery from Ripon,selling hand bakedbiscuits and shortbread completes our guest stalls this month, come and snap up a delicious treat.

Love Your Local Market started in 2012, in response to Mary Portas’ Review of High Streets and was led by the National Association of British Market Authorities.

Markets have a longstanding place in the towns, cities and villages of the British Isles.   Market day still holds a special place in the hearts of people from all walks of life, as a place to shop but also to socialise, meet up with acquaintances and catch up on some gossip.

Today’s markets are seeing something of a revival in fortunes. Shoppers have become wary of long supply chains that have seen the recent horse meat scandal highlighted in the National Press. We are turning once more to our butchers, bakers and other more traditional outlets, tempted not only by the assurance of provenance in the goods we are buying, but also to see a friendly face and to support our local businesses.  Love Your Local Market has been devised to herald these changes; to make shoppers aware of what is on offer on their doorstep and to provide a lobby to Government.

We know that shopping isn’t always as interesting for children as it is for their parents.  We are also aware that shopping with children can be trying!  So we hope that the addition of Peanut the Clown at Oakwood will make everyone happy.

Check out all about Peanut at his website www.peanut-the-clown.com.  

You can meet Peanut the Clown this Saturday where there will be fun, games, bubbles and balloons. Peanut also gives a free circus skills workshop. Come and see how he juggles all that between 9.00 am and 11.00 am.

Peanut The Clown

Leeds Photographic Society was founded in 1852, and is the oldest Photographic Society in the world.  They are always interested in attracting new members so please take the opportunity, at the market this Saturday, to see what they can offer.

Here’s a snapshot of what they do: -

Leeds Photographic Society is made up of people of all ages with a common interest in photography at all levels.  From freelance semi-professional to the happy snapper; all are given the same open and friendly welcome. There are currently around 100 members with varying levels of ability and involvement.  Whether your interest is new or you want to rekindle an old hobby, the Society has something to offer.

The Reap Garden Group were given permission by Leeds City Council to plant up one of the Oakwood Clock flower beds with edible plants at the last farmers’ market. The group  said they wanted a project they could get their teeth into. The feedback is still being digested but common consensus is that, so far, this has bean a great success.

This Saturday the Garden Group will be holding their annual Spring Plant Swap.  If you have a  few extra seedlings why not bring them along and swap for something different?  It’s a great way to get new and exciting additions to your garden without the expense.

We are delighted that The Friends of Lawnswood School Choir are returning by popular demand to serenade us.
If you are interested in singing and want to find out more about how to join them just follow the link.

See you tomorrow and don’t forget your sun hat.

The very first organisation to use the Roundhay Live Stall this Saturday will be OTRA (Oakwood Traders and Residents Association). OTRA express views regarding the retail environment in the Oakwood area and will make representation on retailers’ and residents’ behalf.

OTRA’s main focus at the moment is the restoration and preservation of the Oakwood Clock, a subject of interest to so many Oakwood Residents. Oakwood Farmers Market’s website has a page devoted to the History of Oakwood clock which you will find interesting.

BREAKING NEWS………………………

“OTRA is extremely grateful to Liz Smith of Polkadot Website Design for offering her professional skills at no expense to build and maintain a website devoted entirely to the clock. Although she no longer lives in Oakwood, she used to, so she has very fond memories of it, and this has motivated her generosity. This website can already be visited at www.oakwoodclock.co.uk. OTRA  is very excited about this development, especially as it will grow over the weeks and months ahead. We hope you will enjoy visiting it from time to time to find out the latest. If you have anything you would like to contribute to it, please do so.”

go:cycling

 The REAP transport group is using the REAP stall to host an organisation called go:cycling – a West  Yorkshire based organisation encouraging cycling , by running free courses in bike maintenance, cycling proficiency and other cycling related topics.

Roundhay Live is an organisation promoting community in Roundhay.   REAP has offered a stall to Roundhay Live, at each Farmers’ Market, for local not for profit organisations to use, to showcase and promote themselves.

If you and your organisation are interested in finding out how to book the Roundhay Live Stall at Oakwood Famers’ Market send your details using the contact form on the REAP web site and start your message in the comments box “Roundhay Live at Oakwood Farmers’ market”.