North-East News
Village market volunteers invited to Westminster
6:54pm Thursday 16th February 2012
A MARKET run by 100 volunteers in a village of 350, has been put forward for a national award at the House of Lords.
Hovingham Village Market has been chosen as a Yorkshire Rural Champion in this year’s Countryside Alliance Award.
It will now take part in the national finals in London next month.
The thriving Ryedale initiative was awarded enterprise champion for Yorkshire. The monthly market and cafe is run entirely by volunteers on a not-for-profit basis.
Simon Hamlyn, the alliance’s regional director for the North of England, described what the market has achieved as ‘remarkable’.
He said: “What has happened here is remarkable: the project has not only brought people together, it has also given the many exceptional local food producers, farmers and growers in the area an outlet. Only two years old, the Countryside Alliance is proud to support this enterprising community and we wish it well in the future.”
The awards are designed to celebrate characters, skills and traditions in the countryside. Nicknamed the Rural Oscars, they are now in their seventh year.
Dale Stores in Birstwith, Harrogate was awarded Yorkshire champion in the village shop category for their commitment to local produce and support for local people. Members of both projects will now travel to the Houses of Parliament for the grand final on March 7.
Beningbrough Home Farm Shop, at Beningbrough Hall near York was highly commended in the local food champion category