Stick next Treacle date in your diary
Name: Treacle Market. Where is it held?: Macclesfield; Marketplace, Chestergate, Castle St, Mill St, Exchange St, Churchyard and Old Butter Market at the side of the town hall. When is it held?: Last Sunday each month, apart from this month as it is the last Sunday before Christmas. The next date for your diaries is Sunday, January 28. Who is it suitable for?: All ages. Tiny children come and dance in front of the band or chalk pictures on the cobbles. Elderly visitors tell us they love the social side of the market and how it reminds them of Macclesfield some years ago. What are some of the top traders people can see?: It’s a really diverse mix: Exceptional bread and pastries from Flour Water Salt, wonderful cheese from Mrs Bourne, Gluten-free goodies from Taylors of Cheshire, handmade cigar box guitars from Dirtpie guitars, ethical taxidermy from Deadthings by Kate, vintage finds from Rachel’s Boutique. Expect the unusual! Is there anything going on apart from the stalls?: We have live music every month in front of the town hall. Fabulous, bands choirs and musicians perform each month. We love Annie’s Saints and Sinners who start us off each month with rousing Trad Jazz. They have a loyal following who come to see them and you will often find tiny children dancing in front. We have ferret racing in May and always interesting charity and community stalls in the churchyard.It’s a real place for conversation and finding out about local initiatives. There might be print making, story-telling. Sometimes Morris Dancers, Flashmobs have been known to appear unannounced! What can children do at the market?: There are pavement chalks for creative little ones, sometimes a carousel in the churchyard, sandpit or donkey rides and the wonderful balloon man. They usually love the music too. Did I mention the ferret racing? What tasty treats can people buy?: Where to start! Amazing chocolate, biltong, Bury black pudding, cakes, tarts, sticky toffee pudding. Mushrooms, streetfood such as paella, and I am rather partial to a very good sausage sandwich. The brownies opposite the town hall from Louise Brown Bakes are a must too. It’s all amazing food made by passionate cooks and bakers. When did the market start up?: 2010. What highlights have there been over the years?: So many. We have loved coinciding with Barnaby Festival in the past and had unusual street acts wandering among the market visitors. We always love the Treacle Hound Dog Show each September in St Michael’s Churchyard. I love the fact that you often see unusual and beautifully dressed people and dogs at the market too. Will there be anything new to see in 2018?: Always new stalls and music. And visitors from Macclesfield and further away. We now have coaches bringing visitors from as far as Wales and even Slough! The conviviality of the market is one of the best bits. People bump into friends, sit and have a coffee together or picnic on the Church Lawns. St Michael’s churchyard will continue to be the community hub of the market with new things in there each month.