Vive La Vallette hosts its first-ever farmers’ market

Vive La Vallette, the charity behind the £1.5m. redevelopment of the site which opened last year, said it might make them a regular event in the summer season.

‘For a while I’ve had the idea of running a farmers’ market here,’ said the charity’s Wendy Ensink.

‘Today is a pilot and we’ll see how it goes. If it goes well, we might run one a month as a community event to raise money for the project.’

Rhubarb, raspberries and strawberries were among the produce snapped up early – all selling out within half an hour of the market opening at 10am.

Guest chef Danny Earl served pasties and seafood chowder as live music played in the background.

‘I’ve come down here with beef and potato pasties, all homemade, and seafood chowder, which makes use of local butter and local cream, so it’s all about local produce,’ said Mr Earl.

By mid-morning, despite inclement weather, visitors were getting through Mr Earl’s 50 pasties and 80 portions of chowder.

‘We’re doing OK and we’re pleased to be supporting a local event,’ he said.

St Peter’s Rector Adrian Datta was at the Bathing Pools to swim with his son, Pierre, and daughter, Lydia, but they popped into the market first and enjoyed some sourdough bread supplied by Saints Bay Hotel, among other local produce.

‘We are very supportive of what Wendy and the team are doing down here,’ said Mr Datta.

‘We think that the more community spaces there can be like this, so much the better it is for the island.

‘Even on an occasion like today, when it is a bit overcast, these events are really popular and enjoyed by many in our community.’

Mrs Ensink spent weeks working with stallholders and suppliers, who also included Rouge, which provided charcuterie platters, Surf and Turf, and the Guernsey Hamper Company.

‘There are different types of farmers’ market across the island. We decided this one should concentrate on produce and food, so that is very much the theme,’ she said.