Dorking Farmers’ Market is back!

It’s been a long time coming but today saw the return of the Dorking Farmers’ Market and it’s definitely back with a bang! The sun was shining and Dorking was busy (yes, I did just say that Dorking was busy) and it was great to see so many local producers engaging with us, their enthusiasm for their wares shining through.
I’ll admit it, I’ve spent a small fortune but that’s a good thing as I’ve supported some lovely, friendly people who have brought me some wonderful treats.
For me, today’s highlights were some fabulous cheeses from Emilia (I know they’re London based but you know there’s only one cheese made in Surrey, right?); delicious Chalk Hills bread; fabulous sausages, pātés and smoked fish from Sussex Smokers, including Grandad’s awesome wild boar sausages, and last, but definitely not least Jen’s fabulous cupcakes (and her why-did-nobody-else-think-of-this-already frownies!)
Next time I’m definitely going for a Chimney Cake, and the macarons looked soooo tempting.
As well as fruit and veg, plants, local meat and eggs, jams and chutneys, beautiful handmade wooden bits and bobs and fabulous pies and choccies, there’s also the lovely independent stores and cafés of St. Martin’s Walk to enjoy which makes this the perfect location for the market. I know the guys on South Street would have liked to have seen the market up in their neck of the wood but I don’t think it would work so well as the space just isn’t there. Surely though the point is that anything which brings people into Dorking, so often overshadowed by Reigate, Guildford and even Kingston has to be a good thing and the revival of the Farmers’ Market gives Dorking bragging rights over Reigate, for a little while at least.
It would be great if some of our local breweries and vineyards could be there next time and maybe the dairies too. Norbury Blue and St Joan’s Farm are both about to lose an outlet with the closure of The Jolly Farmer’s in Buckland – would be great to see them shouting out about their produce (I am officially addicted to Norbury Blue and there is no ice cream better than St. Joan’s’ IMHO).
One of the real issues for small local producers, I believe the mot du jour is artisan, is getting their products to the people who want to buy them; it’s accessibility. What could be more accessible than a stall in the centre of town where you can actually talk to people about what you do, show them how passionate you are, let them have a little taster and tell you how good your sausage/cake/cheese actually is? Everyone’s a winner and I can’t wait ’til next month. For now though, I’m off to prepare a Surrey Chicken, Sussex Smoker’s oak smoked chorizo and butterbean stew which we’re going to eat with some crusty Chalk Hills bread. #keepitlocal