Langholm Producers celebrate first anniversary

In October 2006 the Southern Uplands Partnership Communities on the Edge Project arrived in Langholm. Annette Paterson, the newly employed Community Animator in the town, set about organising, in conjunction with local people, a taster food event. The theme of food was not new to the town as through the AGATE project the potential for a community driven and led local produce market had been recognised.

Steve Dunning of Orton Farmers Market, Cumbria provided valuable initial advice and was a guest stallholder at the initial taster day. As a result of the success of the taster day, Annette facilitated a community feedback evening one month later open to all members of the community. As a result of a very positive and productive meeting, the Muckle Toon Producer’s Market committee was born and Annette began to work alongside giving advice, encouragement and support.

Four local women – Pauline Innes, Elizabeth Glendenning, Gillian Hardstone and Sharon Graham - started the Market with very little financial support (only a small donation by a local person and a personal contribution of £10 from each of the committee members)

A number of external bodies including Scottish Enterprise, The Soil Association and the local Community Learning and Development team and managed to secure places for the committee members on several training and networking courses, increasing the skills base of the committee and helping them to grow in confidence.

The Market has now been operating successfully for a year and recently celebrated its 1st Anniversary. With an average of 25 stalls per month, it is the largest Producers Market in SW Scotland and as a result many neighbouring communities have sought advice from the group as to how to go about setting up their own markets.

When the Market first started many of the stallholders were small scale producers. The Market has since driven their businesses forward and as a result one of the local meat producers now has a regular delivery run in the area. Bread, eggs and cakes are now also supplied to the local delicatessen and hotels, and the man who makes confectionery as a hobby now supplies on demand to people (many of whom actually knock on his door!) and is producing favours for weddings and parties.  

The success of the market is due in no small part to the group who manage and run it. Giving freely of their time, they have created something which has not only boosted the local economy, but has contributed to the vibrancy of the town. Stallholders have commented on the atmosphere of the Langholm market (which has on occasion attracted coach parties to the town!) and the sense of community.

There are some key success factors:

• The right people
• The right time
• A passion to make things happen
• Regular stall holder’s meetings
• Early engagement with the community

For more information please contact Annette Paterson on 0782 4480517 or annettepaterson@sup.org.uk
For stand holder information contact Sharon Graham on 0783 5208316.