Westhill Farmers' Market Celebrates First Birthday

Expect a party atmosphere at Westhill Farmers' Market this Saturday (July 2) as the market celebrates its first birthday.

Between 9am-1pm at the Ashdale Hall car park there will be birthday cake for customers to enjoy, the chance to win a hamper of market goodies, a tractor for kids of all ages and the usual selection of excellent local producers to buy from.

The market started in July 2010 with just seven stalls, and this has more than doubled with 17 expected on Saturday.

Westhill prides itself on being a market for the community and involves local people of all ages. The local drama group will be handing out the birthday cake this weekend, while the youth club sell hot and cold drinks (and soup in the winter) at every monthly market, with proceeds going towards youth club projects.

There's also a Community Stall, available free each month, for local groups and charities such as Westhill Academy's Golden Eagle Project and Maggie's Centre.

During the heavy snow last winter, Westhill still opened for business despite several feet of snow in the car park and, thanks to the dedication of the stallholders and the committee, the snow was cleared and customers flocked to the market.

Profits from the monthly market are ploughed back into the upkeep of the well-used Ashdale Hall. Administrator Shirley Masson says: "The hall is used by a wide variety of the local community, from toddler groups to exercise classes for all ages.

"We are so pleased the monthly farmers' market has grown in strength over the last year and we want to celebrate with a fun day for all the family on Saturday."

Westhill Community and Farmers' Market is held on the first Saturday of the month (9am-1pm) in the car park of Ashdale Hall, Westhill Drive. For more information about the market please contact Shirley Masson.

The stallholders at the market on July 2 include:

• Sheridan of Ballater - pies, dumplings, sausages
• Devenick Dairy - award-winning cheeses, yogurts, veal
• Freshlay - hen, duck, quail's eggs
• The Old Smokehouse - fresh and smoked fish
• Bridgefoot Farm - organic vegetables
• Cakes by Design - speciality cakes
• Alan Bruce - wheat-free and gluten-free baker
• Ola Oils - award-winning rapeseed oil, dressings, oatcakes
• Letty's Preserves - jams, preserves
• Fern House Foods - fudge, toffee, tablet
• Cocoa-ooze - chocolate
• Ria's Sambal - Indonesian cooking sauce
• Love Natural Soap - organic soaps and body products
• Saffron Setting - silver jewellery
• Moira Allen - plants
• Flowers by Lynne
• Knit Bag - wools

Westhill is part of the Aberdeenshire Community & Farmers Market Association. ACFMA supports 11 markets throughout the region as part of a Leader-funded grant to promote and increase footfall among locals and visitors.

For more information about Aberdeenshire Community & Farmers Market Association, please contact Katrina Barclay.

Find out more about the Scottish Farmers' Markets Partnership.

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