Wirral tops the food oscars

10:59am Friday 30th November 2007

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Wirral Farmers' Market has won Best Farmers' Market in the UK at the national BBC Food and Farming awards.

The award was presented at a ceremony held in Birmingham's Museum and Art gallery attended by celebrity chefs, food writers and producers.

This was the first time the awards, described by Jamie Oliver as the food "Oscars" had included a category for farmers' market, to mark the 10th year since the first was held in the UK.

Anne Benson, chairman of the Wirral Farmers' Market said: "We were absolutely delighted and bowled over to win the award. It is a great recognition for the brilliant work of the team of volunteers, who work hard to make it a success; to all our traders and it is a big boost to New Ferry."

She also paid tribute to Amy Brady, who set up the market as part of plans by the New Ferry Regeneration Action Group to regenerate the area.

"Some of the team and producers came down to the award ceremony and impressed everyone there with some of our fantastic produce."

James Martin enjoyed tucking into Mary's Cakes, Rick Stein supped some Betwixt Beer and John Jones' vegetable display was praised by the judges."

The market is run completely by volunteers for the benefit of the community and to help the regeneration of the area.

Since 2003, it has put £16,000 back into the community around New Ferry, through grants and financial support.

A report by The Mersey Partnership estimated the impact of the market on the local economy at just under £800,000.

It also said: "The overeall mean scored for visitor satisfaction is 4.30 which is above average and above the overall satisfaction rates at Wirral events in 2005."

To find out more about the awards and the community grants visit www.wirralfarmersmarket.org.uk or www.bbc.co.uk/radio4.

The next market is on Saturday, December 8, from 9am, at New Ferry Village Hall.