Meet the Market Traders!
Hedge End Village Market is a weekly event, showcasing local handmade food and crafts. University student Megan, who was with the Town Council on a work placement, went along to meet the traders and find out all that the market has to offer.
Words by Megan Shepperd
For the past four years, the previous Budgens supermarket site has been the location for the Hedge End Village Market. What initially began as a Covid scheme funded by the government to give people an outside market to visit when shops were still shut, has since become a weekly event offering locally crafted food and goods and is now run by the Town Council. The array of stalls set up in the centre of the town may be a familiar sight, but what might be unfamiliar are the traders themselves.
Ali, from ‘Waterside Glass’ (pictured above), began hand-making glass jewellery during lockdown and started selling her earrings, necklaces and other jewellery when the market was established. Ali said “It started as a hobby and by June 2020 my husband told me I’d have to start selling some!”
Toni, from ‘Bee Honey’, began her honey journey by bringing honey from the Czech Republic to gift to her friends, before eventually making it a professional venture and bringing her delicious honey to a place where the whole community could enjoy it.
Vanda, from ‘Vanda’s Pantry’, also began selling from her stall when the market was established. She makes her lemon curd from lemons she brings over from Cyprus and her handmade pies, cakes and Curdridge Show-winning preserves sell out rapidly once the market opens.
“It’s lovely, people walk by, say hi and have a chat” said Vanda
Hannah’s ‘Cabana Bakery’ sells a range of handmade sweet treats including New York-style cookies and unique tray bakes. Hannah became a full-time baker in March of this year and has been selling her cakes at the Hedge End Village Market since then.
‘Fresh From the Field’, run by Helen Field, with “the pun very much intended”, is a relatively new stall in the market, and offers a wide range of unique preserves, including Vanilla Jelly, Apricot Chutney and Marrow and Ginger Jam.
Author Terry has a loyal following who return time and time again to buy his latest books. He first came to the market two years ago with his debut novel ‘Dannu’s Man’ – an action-packed adventure story of Stone Age Britain through the eyes of a modern traveller. He’s now written six books and a collection of short stories.
“It’s very gratifying – I haven’t had a bad review” said Terry.
Alice, a self-confessed “serial crafter”, sells handmade jewellery and hair accessories from her new stall, ‘A Little Venture’ during school holidays. She began making scrunchies during lockdown before moving on to crafting beautiful jewellery made from polymer clay.
Hannah said “Everybody at the market is really lovely – it’s a lovely atmosphere.”
Claire, of ‘Sensational Treats’, has been selling her bagged sweets at the market for two years, well as at school fetes and carnivals. It’s no surprise her sweet goodie bags are often a hit with the children!
Dan, who runs ‘Wacky Workshop’, creates engraved gifts and signs made using a computer numerical control laser he built himself. Local to Hedge End, he’s a new seller at the market, where he also takes orders for personalised items and gifts including bottle openers, key chains and coasters.
‘World Links UK’ has been run by Steve for 25 years and has been at the Hedge End Village Market for nearly two years, selling and repairing watches along with watch straps and batteries.
The market is a wonderful local event, that creates a social environment for both sellers and potential buyers. Filled with the friendly faces of the traders and their quality wares, the market is open to all, and welcomes any newcomers that might wish to see these lovely stalls for themselves.
So, if you get the time this Wednesday or any other, be sure to make your way down to the town centre and take a look at the Hedge End Village Market.
Weather permitting, the Hedge End Village Market runs every Wednesday at the former Budgens supermarket site, Wildern Lane, SO30 4DY from 10am till 3pm.
