Perhaps
one of the ultimate recent real-life stories of an individual
who wanted to 'make a difference' in her community is the experience
of Stroud mum Clare Gerbrands, one of the forces behind the
burgeoning success of farmers' markets across the county. Here
is her story:
Eleven
years ago when mother-of-four Clare went looking for a venue
in Stroud to sell her husband's hand carved wooden drums, little
did she realise the search would result in the eventual establishment
of one of the countryÃs most successful farmers' markets.
She
recalls: "I found I could hire a market stall site for £10 but
I would have to provide my own stall - and then I discovered
I could hire the whole church hall in the centre of Stroud for
£100.
Great
success
"It
didn't take long to find about 35 other crafts people to get
involved, and we held the first Made in Stroud arts and crafts
market."
The
idea was a great success and grew to be an annual event. Some
years later, Clare offered her services to Stroud District Council
when she heard they wanted to see a farmers' market set up in
the town.
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| Farmers'
markets are a Gloucestershire success story |
"It
was something I was really interested in, and I thought I could
do it, so I put myself forward," she says. "I
didn't really know what I was letting myself in for!"
For
the first time in her life, Clare was faced with the challenge
of preparing a bid for funding to get the market off the ground.
"I didn't really know what I was doing! It was quite scary,
trying to work out how much everything was going to cost. I
put the bid in, only to be told I had not allowed for a salary
for my work!"
She
got the job, and now the Stroud Farmers' Market is one of the
most successful of the 17 currently operating regularly across
Gloucestershire, selling local produce from local farmers, growers
and producers.
Some
markets are open once a month, some twice, but all are encouraging
more and more people to try and buy local produce.
Invaluable
aid
As
a result of Clare's experiences and on behalf of Gloucestershire
Farmers' Markets, she has been able to produce an invaluable
aid for would-be farmers' market managers - the Market Manager's
Handbook.
 |
| Farmers'
markets are an opportunity to buy local produce |
This
is literally a bible of practical and essential information
and advice. Another off-shoot of the successful farmersà market
was the founding of the first Made in Stroud shop, a co-operative
venture involving Clare's husband, Kardien, and some of the
area's most talented crafts people.
"Most
artists cannot afford to sell their work through gift shops
and galleries due to the percentage often taken by the shop
and gallery owners," explains Kardien.
"Here,
the members of the co-op share in the running and managing of
the shop, which means they also get to meet potential customers
and other artists. A small commission is charged, but that pays
for the rent, rates, book keeping and management of the project."
Kardien
and other founder members of the co-operative received a lot
of very helpful guidance and support from Co-Operative Futures
and visited the Potters co-operative in Bristol for ideas and
encouragement.
The
Made in Stroud shop has a prime location in one of Stroud's
steep Cotswold streets and has proved extremely popular with
local people and visitors alike.
There
are now plans to open a Made in Gloucestershire shop in Cheltenham.
"
We
have learned a lot setting up the Stroud shop and we are confident
we can launch another even bigger venture," says Kardien.
Contact: Gloucestershire Association of Farmers' Markets
01453 758060.
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