WI Markets

tiff

Anyone been to a WI market? I had heard of them but not been to one and came across a link to their website, now called Country Markets http://www.country-markets.co.uk/content.php

My local one is only on for an hour on Friday mornings, will go along this Friday, but is the produce reasonably priced? (You cant beat home made cakes and I would rather buy them than make my own )

Lillibet_2

My Mum is chair-person (or something like that) of the Tunbridge Wells branch. She is actually a trained chef (although she hasn't worked professionally since before I was born) and makes tons of cakes, pies, quiches, savoury snacks, jams & jellies. All has to meet very stringent safety standards in hygenic kitchens & be clearly labelled, nothing can be pre-frozen & things containing nuts/nut oil have big allergy warning stickers on them. If you have specific dietry requirements the sellers name & address is stuck on each product & you can speak/call them directly to clarify or even place orders! Everything has to be packed in a very specific way, even down to the way the cellophane wrapping is folded & un-sold produce cannot be put up for re-sale the following week (I usually have a bulging freezer full of unsold leftovers ;D). Depending on what is being cooked some sellers have to hold basic food hygine certificates and a certificate holder inspects all food put out to pass it as "fit for sale". It's probably the safest food you could eat!
They also sell home crafted wooden toys & the like, plants & seeds, home sewn/knitted toys & baby clothes, hand made cards & stationary etc. The prices they charge are based on the calculated cost (sellers have to give a breakdown) plus a pre-set percentage which is split between the country markets orginization & the seller. Sellers cannot set just any selling price, so things are unlikey to be overpriced.
Hope this Helps.

tiff

Thats good info, thanks Lillibet. I will go along to our local one on Friday, I had thought they were just for WI members, but apparently not

Lucie_2

Ah.......the memories. My Nana used to be an active member of the WI, so I have many fond memories of WI markets. I seem to remember Mrs Scott's lemon cake being my favourite................
anyway (!)
They are fantastic value & excellent quality. I might see if there's one by me, even if it's just for nostalgia's sake.

crana999

Thanks! there's one very near me

I'd have to dash there between lectures as it's only open 8.30 - 1.30 and I have lectures 9-10, and 11-1 :-/ but I can get there between 10 and 11 I think

I don't have an oven.. so some home baked goodies would be ooooh very nice!

aycor

:P
they also send goodies out from the market i.e. for a birthday or special treat. My son was a leeds uni and had been in Hospital and I could not send him home made goodies so I contacted a W.I. market close to Leeds, Adle I think, and they did the rest all I did was send a cheque.
His house mates were well pleased and so was he.

VickyA_2

My gran used to be a very active member of the WI (or Wild Indians as my grandpa called it! ;D). There was a lady in their village who would spend the whole of the day before baking and baking for the market the following day. Her lemon curd was simply divine............. and the sausage rolls, and the plum loaf, and the scones etc etc!

Lucie_2

My gran used to be a very active member of the WI (or Wild Indians as my grandpa called it! ;D).

;D ;D ;D

We used to call it the Witches Institute ;D

Ria

Lillibet,
What a lovely reminder, I used to buy from Tunbridge Wells WI Market every week and know a lot of the ladies there , probably your mum included. Yes it's great value and now you've reminded me I will get myself along there next week I think WI markets should be kept going at all costs but it seems that there are not many younger women joining these days. Shame.