A home grown scheme bears fruit

A group of community-minded Hornsea residents have come together to launch a local produce market in an attempt to encourage people to shop locally and bring trade to the town centre.

Locally-grown fruit and vegetables, East Coast shellfish and locally-made pork pies and sausages will be among the produce on offer, alongside plants from a nearby nursery, bread and confectionary from a Hornsea bakery, and the work of local craftspeople.

The first market will take place on today, in the car park of Hornsea Community Primary School, and they’ll be held on the third Saturday of every other month after that.

The campaign to launch the market was spearheaded by Darren Smith, who owns and runs Larney’s Bakery on Cliffe Road in the town.

He explained: “We’ve lost a lot of trade in Hornsea and I wanted to find a way to bring it back. I thought that a local produce market would be a good way for people to get to know their local traders better. Some of the stalls will be run by traders with shops in the town centre, like me, and others will feature the goods of local growers, producers, suppliers and craftspeople.

“The idea is to bring trade back to Hornsea, encourage people to support local traders and suppliers, and help regenerate the town centre. Any revenue generated by the market will be ploughed back into the local community and spent on amenities for local people.

“I don’t think there’s much for local people to do, especially young people, so it would be nice to provide more facilities for them.”

He added: “We approached the town council and they expressed support for the idea. We initially had a few difficulties finding a suitable venue, but the car park of Hornsea Community Primary School is ideal as it can be accessed from Willow Drive or off Newbegin, which is one of the main routes through the town.”

Darren won the support of others within the community and his idea has quickly gathered momentum.

An organising committee has now been formed to run the market and holds regular meetings at Hornsea United Reformed Church.

The church is actively involved in the project as part of its Living Well Project, along with the Holderness Coast Fisheries Local Action Group and an organisation called Home Grown Hornsea, which aims to encourage local people to grow their own food.

Home Grown Hornsea will have a stall at the market to promote its work and sell some of the produce grown by its members.

Andrea Lunn, a local resident who was inspired to get involved as a volunteer after chatting to Darren when she visited his bakery to buy bread, said: “It’s some time since Hornsea had an outdoor market and, although it may not be as successful as the one held in Medieval times, which made Hornsea one of the wealthiest parts of Holderness, the aims are the same. We want to give local producers a platform to trade within their local community and encourage people to come to this wonderful town.

“It’s great to see members of the community working with local businesses and groups, and Hornsea Community Primary school, to try to attract interest in the town.”

To encourage shoppers to visit the Local Produce Market, there will be a different incentive offer each time.

Today, they will receive a discount voucher that gives them access to Hornsea Museum for just £1 on the day.

Any growers, farmers or suppliers in the Hornsea area who would like to get involved in the project or have a stall at the market should email: [email protected]

Future dates for the Hornsea Local Produce Market: June 22; 
August 24; October 26; 
December 7 (this event will be a Victorian-themed Christmas market); February 22, 2014.

Hornsea and its attractions

The town centre has a friendly, village-like atmosphere and a good choice of independent shops and cosy tea rooms.

The award-winning Hornsea Folk Museum, is housed in a historic farmhouse in the town centre. .

Hornsea Freeport Shopping Centre, where you can bag bargains at a choice of factory outlet shops.

Hornsea Mere, Yorkshire’s largest freshwater lake and an RSPB reserve. It’s a lovely spot to enjoy a picnic, or try your hand at sailing, rowing or fishing.

A lovely sandy beach and a lively promenade.