Elvis Came To Oakwood

 
It was hard to believe it wasn’t actually Elvis but Andy Wood’s Tribute act that had the shoppers dancing and singing at Oakwood Clock last Farmers’ Market, such was the power and believability of Andy.  Shoppers and stall holders alike queued up for photos with ‘Elvis’ and you can see some of them by clicking here (When Elvis Came To Oakwood). Click on any of the photos to see a larger image.
 Andy also raised £135 for St Gemma’s Hospice from shoppers and stall holders.  Quite an act!  Thanks to all of you who contributed. 

If you too would like ‘Elvis’ to visit your next event, why not give Andy a try?  You can contact him at guitarmanproductions@blueyonder.co.uk

Get ready to rock around the clock at the next market!
On Saturday morning November 2oth we will be rocking to the sounds of Elvis. We know you’re going to love it.

Please tell a friend, bring them along and join us for what will be a Fab market.  Remember there are only two markets before Christmas (see Foody’s Corner below).
Be there or be square!

You can get an idea of what we have in store by clicking on this link. Elvis

We have all been enjoying the coffee provided by Cafe2U over the last six months since they took over from The Naked Ape.

If you wish to learn a little bit more about the company and see Oakwood Farmers’ Market featured check out the following link.
Cafe2U Video

Keith Gascoigne of Yorkshire Highlanders won three prizes with his highland cattle.  

He won First Prize in three categories: -

Best Senior Cow –  (for the third year running) with Claire the First of Saljen

Best Calf  - with Phillip the First of Saljen

Best Progeny  - two animals bred from the same bull, the bull being Fredrick of Tordarroch.

Gavin and Jane Boocock (Country Pies) also won a First in the category

British Blue Senior Male Senior Bull Male Champion, with Edmonds Barney. 

Congratulations to both of them!  Please do ask them about their success – these are real farmers who respect and care for their animals all year round.  They are always happy to talk about their animals – you don’t get that at Tesco!

Why not check out our new section, Foody’s Corner?  Each month our resident Foody will choose something to highlight from the market.  Foody will be looking to find products, recipes and food ideas from items available at the market to brighten your day and delight your palette.  This month, Foody features delicious pies gammon and bacon provided by Jane Boocock of Country Pies.

The chances are that if you are looking at this we site you are already a fan of Oakwood Farmers’ Market. Do you ever wonder how the market seems to appear out of nowhere by 9.00 O’clock and disappear completely by 1.15 pm? The answer is that the erection and dismantling of the stalls is in the main carried out by volunteers from the REAP organisation and we are actively looking for more volunteers to help with this task. If you think you would like to help (even if it is only three or four times a year) please visit the REAP web site at http://www.reap-leeds.org.uk/ and read About Reap and Contact the organisers.

The Oakwood Farmers’ Market is only one of the special interest projects undertaken by REAP and I am sure you will find something that interests you.

Thank you very much to the Foxwood Steel Bandits for entertaining us all so well on what could have (because of the weather) been a pretty miserable day. Their choice of  “Singing in the rain” was a particularly apt choice of tune.   

A big thank you  also must go to all our loyal customers who turned out in the rain to support the market, it was much appreciated.

A new addition to Oakwood Farmers Market takes form as Cafe2u run by Steve and Tracey, who between them have  years experience of serving gourmet espresso based coffees.    The stall takes the form of a bright red Mercedes Vito van which is situated just on the outer edge of the market in the car park.  The van is fitted out with a state of the art Brasilia espresso coffee machine to produce award winning coffee. 

In 2009, our business won the Best Beverage Experience Award (Bevex) which is awarded by the Beverage Services Association to a single outlet in the UK that is judged as providing the best coffee nationwide.  To add to this prestigious award, in January 2010 Steve was awarded Cafe2u Barista of the Year winning a trip for two to Milan.  More recently Steve also went on to take part in the United Kingdom Barista Championships winning a place in the semi-finals in London and being named as one of the top 20 baristas in the UK – well done Steve!

We are pleased and proud to announce that Oakwood Farmers’ Market has been independently certified as applying the National Farmers’ Retail and Markets Association (FARMA) recommended criteria for true farmers’ markets. (See the FARMA Accreditation Page For more details).

The Oakwood Farmers’ Market has been the inspiration for at least two local artists.
We have to thank Nick Claiden for painting the picture for the front of our 2010 leaflet. You can now download and print a copy of this from the 2010 leaflet page.