New stalls provide lift-off for town’s Thursday market
AS Ashbourne’s Thursday market continues its countdown to Christmas, its organisers say the introduction of new stalls in recent weeks has been a huge success.
The reborn market, which takes place weekly on Shrovetide Walk, saw a bumper selection of 11 stalls set out last week, providing everything from books, collectibles, games, a range of gifts, bouquets of flowers, scented candles, handmade pottery, breads and pastries, cheeses, fruit and vegetables, seafood and hot drinks, soups and snacks.
Ashcom, the volunteer-run Community Interest Company that runs the market, says it was pleased to welcome Help for Hearing and Young Enterprise Scheme students from Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School last week, for the first time.
The budding entrepreneurs were gaining first-hand business experience selling their eco-friendly seed balls to customers, and Ashcom says they made a real impact both with customers and fellow traders.
A spokesman for Ashcom said: “The students’ experience is another example of how the market is enabling a range of people with different interests to develop their commercial activities, particularly through these difficult pandemic times.”
Another business which has become a mainstay of the festive run-up is Swann Deals, which is based in Kniveton and is run by Mike and Rachel Swann.
The company began in 2019, initially selling foam speaker bungs, then it expanded into other products, including footwear, and the market stall features a range of puzzles and teasers for all abilities. Its website and ebay shop shows a full range of products but Mike says that the festive markets are an ideal outlet for its range of gifts.
He said: “In October, we started selling puzzles and games, and decided to start selling on the Ashbourne Thursday Market as they make ideal presents.
“We have wooden and metal brainteaser puzzles, family games, kids’ jigsaw puzzles, travel games and lots more.
“We are also selling babygrows with heat-pressed designs, including three Christmas designs.”
Another stallholder, Sally Vaughan, from Oakamoor, has been bringing her selection of handmade pottery to the market each week, under the banner of Pottery by Sally V.
She caught the pottery bug after living for 25 years in the heart of The Potteries, she says, and she will be among the stallholders at tomorrow’s market.
She said: “I love to experiment with glazes, so every item is totally unique, no two firings being the same.
“Every item has been sculpted, glazed and fired here in my home studio, or on our narrowboat.
“I am totally inspired by the nature that surrounds us here in the UK. Bowls, jugs and dishes for the home are all glazed with food-safe glazes.”