Local comes first for us
We are an entirely volunteer-based organisation and our local community means everything to us. Our stallholders, organising team and volunteers are all locally based and dedicated to creating a fantastic monthly event for the local community.
We encourage and support our most local businesses to get involved with the market as much as possible. So far we have created money off vouchers for market days, introduced a market partnership scheme, handed out flyers for businesses and are looking at introducing some sponsorship opportunities too. And we're always keen to hear any ideas and suggestions for future markets.
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Every month we choose a local charity to take a free stall at the market, which we promote and support as much as possible over our social media platforms.
A not-for-profit Community Interest Company was set up to run the Farmers Market. Any money raised during the year from stallholder rentals and other sources, over and above our costs in operating the market, is donated to local charities. In 2020 we donated £2,000 to Cherry Trees, Horsley and Bookham Riding for the Disabled and the Horsleys Community Fund.
Cherry Trees: provides specialist short-break respite visits for children and young adults aged 0-19 with a range of complex disabilities including learning, physical and sensory impairments.
Horsley and Bookham Riding for the Disabled: provides therapeutic riding sessions for children and adults with disabilities.
Horsleys Community Fund: awards grants that help build a stronger community, supporting local causes that can make an impact and that will empower the Horsleys to help themselves both now and in the future.
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Horsley Countryside Preservation Society: aims to promote, enhance and conserve the physical and natural environment and its natural beauty for the benefit of the villages in and around the Horsleys.
The Grange Centre for People with Disabilities: provides vital services supporting people with learning disabilities to lead independent and fulfilling lives.
Smarty Plants competition
We've had a great time over the last few months, hearing about how our competition entrants have been getting along with their sunflower seeds. Thank you to all of you that sent us updates and photographs.
Claire from Plantpassion had the difficult task of choosing the prize winners but eventually settled on the following:
Congratulations to Violet Jones, Eryi Thomas and Ben Gordon.
What do you know about rum?
The three Watson brothers grew up in West Clandon and their distillery is based in Wormley. Ripping Yarns Distillery showcased their amazing rum for the first time at the April market. Our resident rum expert, Phil couldn't make it on the day so the co-owner here filmed a little piece to camera for him, to remind him what he was missing!
Look out for Ripping Yarns at the next market.
Another successful dog show
We had a phenomenal turnout for the HFM Dog show in August. It was a beautiful sunny day and everyone had a great time.
There were six categories in total and competition was fierce!
Thank you to everyone that turned out in the morning, participated in the dog show and supported the market.
From the very first market, we have supported our local charities. We do this by offering a complimentary stall to a different charity each month. So far the charities we have supported are:
Action for Carers, Coast to Toast, Combat Stress, Friends of the Raleigh School, Grace and Flavour, The Grange, Horsley and Bookham Riding for the Disabled, Horsley Countryside Preservation Society, Horsley WI, Queen Elizabeth Foundation, Sam Beare Woking Hospice and Woodland Trust.
The local branch of St John Ambulance also gave defibrillator demonstrations.
Charities we have supported
