Although there is no Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show this year, the organisers are staging an event at the Turnpike showground on Sunday, July 26, to support local food producers and craftspeople.
“We want to give back to the local community and businesses that have lost out due to the pandemic,” said show secretary James Cox.
The showground opening its gates to provide an affordable place for traders to sell their products and to meet existing and new customers. The event, open from 10.30am-4pm, will also offer a fun new outdoor event, where social distancing will be easy to achieve, and local people can purchase fantastic local food and crafts products.
The Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society took the decision to hold the first Gillingham & Shaftesbury Food & Crafts Market, after the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, which has allowed the holding of food markets and craft fairs.
James Cox says: “The board for the showground and society wanted to give back to the community and our dedicated traders who have lost out from the cancellation of many of their summer events. After numerous discussions we decided to put on a socially distanced market. We are always dedicated to supporting local producers and celebrating our county’s wealth of high-quality food and craft producers – this year will be no different”.
Gail Stevens, the show’s food organiser, says: “We have everything you need when you pop to the shops, from fish to coffee, cheese to garlic, and cider to mead. Come and see for yourself and support your brilliant local producers.”
The Gillingham & Shaftesbury Food & Crafts Market takes place on July 26. The cost of stalls starts from £10; entry to the market will cost £3 per car in advance or £5 per car on the day. The small fee will help the show society with the upkeep of the site and Covid-19 precautions. For more information please visit www.gillinghamandshaftesburyshow.co.uk/market
