The sun shined and visitors poured into this year’s Barkway Market on Saturday 9th May, which raised just under £15,000 for the Barkway Village Hall, which is a registered charity and other local causes within the community.
The quintessential English country event takes place annually in Manor Farm, was officially opened by Andrew Grainger, whose family own Manor Farm and kindly allowed us to once again host the Market within their grounds.
The warm weather and beautiful setting encouraged around 4,000 visitors to spend the day wandering around 180 stalls to buy some unique products, and celebrate the day with some delicious food and a glass of something bubbly.
Stallholders, both local and from further afield, offered a wide range of products. These included local artisan cheese, wine, bread, locally grown lavender, carefully sourced antiques, plants and garden accessories, artwork, handcrafted wares, clothing, jewellery, beauty products and more. Charities such as HomeStart Royston, Buntingford and South Cambridgeshire were also in attendance to raise funds for their projects.
For the second year running, visitors were also encouraged to enjoy Manor Farm’s Secret Garden. This was the perfect setting to sit and enjoy the sunshine, whilst enjoying an ice cream and drink a glass of fizz, and enjoying entertainment from the Royston Town Band.
Vendors in the Food Court also served a delicious choice of food and drink, including refreshments served by Barkway’s Tally Ho pub. There really was something for everyone to enjoy whilst sitting on a hay bale and listening to music provided by Royston Radio. There were plenty of activities for children too. Bouncy castles, balloon modelling and face painting, as well as the opportunity to have a photo taken with ‘Barkway Bear’ and the chance to win a prize donated by Bury Lane Farm Shop. And if that wasn’t enough, there was a wide choice of ice creams available too.
Other local organisations were also involved too. Barkway Church was the setting for the popular Craft Fair and held a bottle tombola stall to raise funds. The 7th Royston Barkway Scout Group marshalled the car park and took voluntary donations, and Friends of Barkway and Barley Schools (FOBBS) and Barkway Pre School who provided refreshments.
Barkway Market is entirely volunteer led, with the help of a dedicated committee who are supported by people from within the local community, who kindly give up their free time on the day. The event also wouldn’t be possible without the support of the landowners who allow the Market to take place within the grounds of Manor Farm and allow visitors to park on a private meadow nearby.
When asked about their day, one of the visitors commented “It was a very lovely afternoon, and such beautiful weather. We will return next year!”
The Barkway Market committee said: “The Barkway Market raises money for our local community. It is fantastic to know we had our best year yet so that we can really help to support our community.”
Barkway is part of the old London to Cambridge coaching route and the origins of the Market can be traced back to medieval times in 1270. It was re-established in 1977 as a “Street Market”, when residents Molly Bruce, Mr Fidler and others wanted to raise money for a village party to celebrate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.
Barkway’s Grade II Listed ‘Carriage Wash’, which can be found close to Manor Farm is included in Historic England’s National Heritage List.
For more details about the Market, please visit www.barkwaymarket.org or follow them on Facebook @barkwayvillagemarket or Instagram @barkwaymarket – Bookings for 2027 will be open to potential stallholders early next year.
