The 2021 St Hilary Foragers Produce Market raised an amazing amount of money which resulted in a donation of £1,500 to Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice, Sully. In addition, the Llanfair Primary School PTA ran the cake stall which raised £500 for school funds.
Strange though it may seem, the 2020 Covid epidemic and lockdowns benefited the Foragers Market. Because of the social distancing rules we had to hold last year’s Market on the village green, rather than in the village hall. We realised (obviously depending on the weather) that it was better outside because we had more room which meant we could invite more traders and makers to join us. Click here to read a detailed report of the 2020 event
So, following the success in 2020 our aim was to make 2021 bigger and better. This was possible because the village had a new marquee that was purchased from a donation from the BBC for filming Dr Who in the village. And, an event awning had been purchased with monies from the 2020 Winter’s Eve celebrations. So… plenty of room to expand.
A mixture of producers and makers were invited. Once again Vale Cider, Daisy Graze, Dove Love Ceramics and Creative Militia joined us; in addition, we invited Layla Holzer Illustration, Charlotte Norton Miniatures, Sally Beth Jewellery Design, Weigh To Go Refill, Pheasant Acre Plants and Coed Hills. Bars of Distinction provided refreshments and Anthea Guthrie and her husband sold fresh flowers and crepes, which proved to be very popular.
The Crepe Escape!
The stars of the show however, were our young village entrepreneurs who did a very professional job selling Fablas ice cream with blackberry coulis
Fablas Ice Cream with Home Made Balckberry Coulis
Llanfair Primary School PTA took the lead running the cake stall to raise much needed funds – and what a huge success that was. There were cakes galore, lovingly made by parents and St Hilary villagers, who are always very generous with their support.
Corrie and Helen preparing the cake stall
The St Hilary Foragers produce stall was stacked with delicious goodies – jams, pickles, sauces, chutneys and jellys, fresh apple juice, fruit leathers and crumbles. There were the usual savoury pies and new this year, cornish pasties – all of which were soon snapped up. The fresh soups are always popular and sold rapidly. And new this year was a Cretan dish called Boureki, cooked by Terry Dennis – which also sold out.
Pam the Pie lady!
Shopping was brisk but there was always time to stop for a chat and a catch up with neighbours.
Rae and Joan made the most of the day by gathering with friends and neighbours to celebrate their birthdays!
In addition to the shopping experience, the Urban Sketchers were out and about enjoying sketching and painting in the sun. Carol was sketching the event on the village green …….
….whilst others were enjoying sketching in the church yard
A wonderful day – with a constant stream of visitors keen to support the event by picking up some lovely goodies to take home.
All of this would never have been achieved without the support of a huge number of people who donated fruit and vegetables, craft items and cards, made jams, chutneys, crumbles and cakes, helped with apple pressing, took a turn at serving on the stalls, assisted with parking and erecting and dismantling the marquee and awning …. too many to mention individually but you know who you are!
A special mention to the Brown family who kindly allowed us to use their field for parking
And Herbert R Thomas and DB Francis Heating Engineers for sponsoring our event
You are all truly awesome – THANK YOU!
Note: In addition to the above, the Ty Hafan Garden Volunteers have established a Go Fund Me page to raise funds for the restoration and maintenance of the hospice gardens and, to date, have raised £595!
Comments
Just had some of your delicious piccalilli on a sandwich for lunch !! Lovely. Well done to everyone who contributed to a wonderful event today. People have worked very hard to raise some cash for a good cause. Hillary, Ystradowen
What an absolutely charming afternoon.. So impressed! Heather Jones, Urban Sketchers
A lovely few hours in the sun purchasing some tasty produce! Thank you to Monica Dennis, Caroline Neudegg and your team of helpers. Ystradowen
Thank you so much. It was a really lovely day. Charlotte Norton Miniatures, Penarth
We really enjoyed, Thanks! It was lovely sitting on the wall drinking a cheeky Pimms with your lovely pie. Glad it went well. Tracy, Ty Hafan Gardener
Great event yesterday, well done. We are lucky to have you – even the sun came out to join us! Maggie
Thank you Monica and Caroline for your amazing work organising another successful St Hilary Foragers Fair – and the sun shone bright! Sam, Dove Love Ceramics
We visited the St Hilary Foragers Fayre and it was super. Great to catch up with friends and sketch with the South Wales Urban Sketchers. We’re squeezing out the last of the summer sun and eating home made cake bought at the fayre. Carol, Penarth
Just had your delicious pies for supper! Really enjoyed the Foragers in the sun and loved that it was busy after all the hard work. Hope you slept well last night! Jenny, Llanblethian