Greenwich Farmers Market First Impressions
So - who made it to a very windy East Greenwich Pleasaunce yesterday for the Farmers' market, then?
I didn't get to the grand opening of the cafe by the mayor, but I did go to the market itself and for my part I thought it was really rather good.
Much smaller than Blackheath's version, but with largely different stalls - so you could go to both if you were really into sourcing your food locally. I liked, for instance, that the tomato stall doesn't have toms that have come all the way from the Isle of Wight (they seemed cheaper too, but that might just be because tomatoes are in season at the moment...)
I also liked the cheese man - and his toasted sandwiches were v. good. I tested two of the Biscuit Man's cookies - the oatcakey one was good, but the chocolate one was superb (he says he'll only be there once every three weeks, but he's worth looking out for.) The sausage stall was doing huge business (I've not heard of the Giggly Pig before) and the bread and veg looked fresh and enticing. From what I've scoffed of my haul so far, it's been a success.
I came away with a nice carrier bag of goodies, and a good feeling about this. It didn't look to me as though any 'sensitive' parts of the park had had lorries driven over them or parked on them, and the stalls themselves were all on the paths.
The only real possibilities of objections I can think of might be from the flats behind - but hey - maybe we should wait for objections, rather than just assume them? The residents might really like the fact that the Pleasaunce is possibly more alive now than it has ever been, and not, as far as I can see, to the detriment of its permanent inhabitants.
But that's just my first impressions. Anyone else here go? What did you think?
I didn't get to the grand opening of the cafe by the mayor, but I did go to the market itself and for my part I thought it was really rather good.
Much smaller than Blackheath's version, but with largely different stalls - so you could go to both if you were really into sourcing your food locally. I liked, for instance, that the tomato stall doesn't have toms that have come all the way from the Isle of Wight (they seemed cheaper too, but that might just be because tomatoes are in season at the moment...)
I also liked the cheese man - and his toasted sandwiches were v. good. I tested two of the Biscuit Man's cookies - the oatcakey one was good, but the chocolate one was superb (he says he'll only be there once every three weeks, but he's worth looking out for.) The sausage stall was doing huge business (I've not heard of the Giggly Pig before) and the bread and veg looked fresh and enticing. From what I've scoffed of my haul so far, it's been a success.
I came away with a nice carrier bag of goodies, and a good feeling about this. It didn't look to me as though any 'sensitive' parts of the park had had lorries driven over them or parked on them, and the stalls themselves were all on the paths.
The only real possibilities of objections I can think of might be from the flats behind - but hey - maybe we should wait for objections, rather than just assume them? The residents might really like the fact that the Pleasaunce is possibly more alive now than it has ever been, and not, as far as I can see, to the detriment of its permanent inhabitants.
But that's just my first impressions. Anyone else here go? What did you think?
Labels: Food and Drink
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
08:20
37 Comments:
Phantom! Not heard of the Giggly Pig Company? Where have you been?! Certainly not to the Eltham Farmers Market on the third Sunday of every month where I always buy my sausages, bacon and (at Christmas-time) pigs-in-blankets. Fantastic stuff! And if you check out their website, founder Tracy has a very interesting story behind her.
Small but a good selection. I saw lots of people making the trip in to the park so that was nice to see. We've pretty much eaten our stash and yes, all was lovely. I do wonder about the viability of the market through the winter months though. Here's hoping.
Yes, I went along and was definitely pleased enough that I'll go back. I mean who can say no to a new local market really? No clouds to that silver lining surely?
Yeah - hands up Ive never been to the Eltham Farmers market - Blackheath has sufficed me so far.
I am a bit confused now as to whether or not it will be held every week. The website and leaflets couldn't be clearer - with dates and everything.
But the very fact that other people have been saying it might not be makes me wonder what's been going on.Do they have persmissions or not?
I really hope so - this could be a fabulous focus for the Pleasaunce.
Mmmmm... had bacon and egg muffins for breaky this morning with all the bits purchased from the new market. So handy and with minimal disruption to other users of the park as far as I can see.
We were there first thing while we were taking the dog for a walk and there were still a couple of empty stalls but other than the Giggly Pig we did not see any signs of a butchers or fishmongers... would be nice if they were there in the future but still a very nice selection.
Long may it last!
I hope the farmers' market does continue and grows at the Pleasaunce. Blackheath farmers' market was choc-o-block this morning, so I'm sure there's an appetite for another one on a Saturday. Shame they haven't promoted it more widely, we don't live far away and knew nothing about it until I read your blog - a day too late!
Also at the Blackheath farmers' market this morning was the NOGOE team. Interesting to get an update from them about the plans for the Olympics in the park. I will be joining them for the ring around the park demo next week - http://www.nogoe2012.com/A4Ring%20Flyers-2.pdf
Any other takers?
Hello Phantom,
The website and flyers are a little premature...someone from the council told me yesterday that there is NO permission for a weekly FM.
Although the market was lovely, the cars and vans in a small green space are a worrying by-product. This is not a small concern, as yesterday was a dry day. Grass driven over weekly by 20-25 transit vans - however sensitively parked - gets trashed.
I have mixed feelings about this: much as I love a nice cake and groovy sausages, I also value the tranquility and car-free nature of a rare green space.
I agree with Sean. I also know that some of the older members of our community were quite upset at seeing cars and vans so close to the graves.
Whilst I welcome the idea in principle (I frequently buy food at the Blackheath Farmer's Market), I also use the pleasuance a lot with my small daughter - it's a lovely little park and I value having somewhere where she can run about in a car free environment and do share concerns about the grass getting totally trashed. As much a weekly farmer's market is a lovely thing to have, and it's good that something like this has happened in East Greenwich, I would be sad if the pleasaunce looked churned up and tatty for the rest of the week when we all still want to use the park...
"The only real possibilities of objections I can think of might be from the flats behind - but hey - maybe we should wait for objections, rather than just assume them?"
Phantom - tut, tut - maybe we should canvass opinion in advance rather than present residents with a done deal?
The Friends of EGP knew nothing about a weekly market until the banner went up three (or four?) days before. Many of us too liked the market too and enjoy our culinary goodies like the rest of you, HOWEVER it's us and the Council who will get the flack when the grass is turned to mud, dog-walkers feel cramped, and please don't underestimate the strength of feeling the graves provoke. We have been seriously slagged off in the past for letting kids sit on the graves and wildflowers grow. This needs to be done with sensitivity.
So it's not simple, but we are hoping to come up with a solution that will satisfy everyone (maybe). We will keep you posted.
Kate (Friends of East Greenwich Pleasaunce)
I for one found it be very good and all the stall holders very friendly and knowledgable. I was a little dissapointed by the lack of advertised meat and fish stalls though.
What I would like to know is if it will actually be occuring next week?
I made the effort to get there from West Greenwich having seen the 'advert' here- otherwise I would not have know it was on. A small selection of stalls but I was particularly impressed with the goats cheese from Sussex, Kent fruit and juice, and the Giggly Pig stalls (whoever would have thought Romford still had a working farm !)I was pleased with everything I bought and will return. I can understand the sensitivity concerning the graves but surely the same argument applies to the cafe ? I can also see the potential for the grass suffering in wet weather. Perhaps a good solution would be a once a month market, with a larger selection of stalls better publicised. throughout the borough ? Overall I feel Greenwich is better with this new market than without it.
My I make a suggestion, Open for debate.
Why not have the farmers market outside the parade of shops by the South entrance of Westcombe Park Station. The Parking bays could be suspended for the day, the stall holders can park round the corner by the station entrance.
There is enough room for many stalls on both side of the road. It would in the heart of a residential area which is poorly served by good food shops (a captive market) and a train Station at its door. No Wet grass, no graves and not hiding from passing trade. Debate
What a fantastic idea to have a farmers market by Westcombe Park station. Another good place would be to have it in Halstows school grounds.
Paul - not a bad idea - although I walk to Blackheath farmers' market (also next to a station...and in a car-park) because it's in the Village - which is lovely. The back streets of Westcombe Park don't seem to appeal as much for a trip.
The Fishmonger didn't survive in East Greenwich ( a 'good food shop') - the captive market in the area seem to be happy with crap shops and takeaways.
Only the Italian deli is any good. So it's either:
- not enough customers
- most people can't afford quality food
- aren't bothered by quality food
Not sure it would work.
Re The Fishmonger shop.
I consider this shop extremely expensive and cannot afford to use it.
Some people may not like supermarkets, but when it comes to fish, Lewisham Tescos has a very good quality fish counter at half the price, and yes I have checked.
I said I'd get back Phantom, so here we go:
The Farmer's market will not be going ahead this saturday or anytime regularly soon.
The FM which went on last saturday was a one-off linked to the Mayor's official opening of the cafe, Pistachio's in the Pleasaunce.
It was premature to advertise a weekly market: the permissions from the Council had not been sought, the consultation had not been done. (The Friends knew nothing of it till the banner went up too!)
The Friends of EGP will be seeking member's views on this plus of course residents and local tradespeople if the Council lets us know they may consider a FM in East Greenwich Pleasaunce.
Keep you posted!
Looks like it has been pulled - http://www.cityandcountryfarmersmarkets.com/Greenwich.html
shame!
A real shame. I think this would benefit the area as opposed to having a negative affect. I understand the concerns about damage to the pleasuance but how does the new cafe mitigate these?
Perhaps the ORNC could be considered for a farmers market.
They are well used to lots of vehicles in their grounds ,often for many weeks at a time, when the film crews are there.
Every week,or 2 weeks would be less trouble. There is ample room for vans and stalls.
Anyone agree ?
I think East Greenwich could really do with some thing to perk up the area e.g. a farmers market if it was in the right position. We all really miss Christines fruit and veg stall outside the Co-op. It was a place where you would bump into people and have a chat. Halstow school would be perfect, hard ground, lots of space and maybe the school could make some money out of it.
There's an awful lot to consider - everyone agrees it would be a great addition, just to issue of where and all the surrounding issues: traffic, insurance, residents, and not pissing off local traders who pay rates and rent.
So who are the decision makers in this process? Should we be getting in touch with local councilors to make feelings known?
In terms of the Pleasaunce:
If you are a member of the Friends, you will have got an email this afternoon. (If you're a Friend and didn't get this, contact pleasauncefriends@hotmail.co.uk as we probably have the wrong email for you - a few bounce back each time.)
Alternative venues are being looked into, as the Farmers Market organisers ideally want a weekly market : so far Halstow, outisde Westcombe Park station and now the ORNC have been suggested. Any more phantom-followers?
Halstow Road School sounds like a good idea - lots of hard standing, but close enough to the pleasaunce to pop to the park and cafe afterwards.
I'm not sure there is much in the way of traders who are selling the sort of thing a farmers market would around the pleasaunce itself. I mean farmers market produce is very different from the sort of thing you'd get in a convenience store - and at different prices.
I'll be watching this with interest. Thanks Kate.
http://www.greenwich.co.uk/news/1955-east-greenwich-pleasauncefarmers-market-on-hold/
This has just been published stating a number of obstacles need to be overcome before the market can return
I'm a trader and it's very galling to see people who aren't producers buying produce alongside me at the wholesale markets and taking them off to so-called farmer's markets. I have no problem with true FM's, (i.e. where people sell the produce they have grown), I do however think sometimes they just undercut the local shops. Of course they can be cheaper - they don't pay rates (which have just gone up again) and rent for shop premises.
Maybe traders like yourself could have a stall in the market. If you are local that is even better.
When you come from the continent you cannot help but look at this FM as a fraud!
You guys are being taken for a ride by most stallholders.
The average Brit's knowledge of food is so low that one could almost sell anything under a pseudo 'farmers' label and there'll be a crowd queuing to buy.
The other day, I stumbled on the food market in fron the Cutty Sark where one could buy 'foreign' prepared food, ie sandwiches from France, German sausages etc...
It was appaling, these sellers could just not get away with so low quality and high prices in their own country!
Someone even suggested that the Italian deli on Woolwich road was decent! Sorry but this is shop is a joke, if not an insult to Italian food!
end of rant
But a rant in which you wish to remain Anonymous!? High held feelings indeed!
Well anything is better than nothing.
I agree the deli on Trafalgar road is a joke.
The Italian deli might be a joke compared to deli's in Italy (or even the one in Lewisham), but it's still the best thing in East Greenwich...
Wendy, sorry, but I have no Google or openID account and cannot be bothered to register to yet another 'web service' with yet another username and password.
Now weather my name was John, Gianni, Jean or Hans doesn't make a difference to my comments or does it?
That the Italian deli in EG is the 'best thing' because there is nothing else, is quite symptomatic of your values on food....
I think you've got us East Greenwichites all wrong anonymous. Those of us who appreciate good food will be found at Borough market or shopping in Royal Hill, e.g. going a long way to find decent food. That is why a farmers market in the right place could do very well.
Can I remind everyone that the Pleasaunce is a cemetary which contains, amongst others, British and Commonwealth War Graves.
Tomorrow marks the Trafalagar Day Service of Remembrance; a poignant reminder of human sacrifice.
I agree with you Suzy Q, we should not have the farmers market in the Pleasaunce at all. Halstow school would be the perfect setting as I have heard there is a lot of money to be made through having a farmers market on your!!!!!!!!! premises.
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