30445-7CRICKLADE has hosted its first market for more than 50 years. A steady flow of shoppers streamed through the town hall yesterday to sample what traders had to offer at the first market in the town since 1953.

The town council has agreed a farmers' market should sell locally produced goods on the second Friday of the month for six months.

Wiltshire Farmers' Market Association co-ordinator Caroline Ramsey said: "We have had a fantastic response from the people of Cricklade, it's been a warm welcome.

"The very first day can be a bit hit and miss but it has been going well.

"Farmers' markets are about regenerating the town centre.

"If we can bring more people to Cricklade they are likely to visit shops there as well.

"Once people know there is a farmer's market in Cricklade they won't have to go elsewhere for their shopping so it will help keep people in the town."

Stallholder Brenda Davies, from Bowldown Produce, in Kington Langley, was selling asparagus. She also trades in Bristol and Bath.

"I like places like Cricklade because people are friendly," she said.

"I have had a steady flow of people coming to the stall."

Other traders came from Wootton Bassett, Bishopstone, Chippenham and Warminster.

Goods on sale included meat, organic trout, home-made cakes, plants and cheese.

Shopper Lynne Gwilliam, of Bath Road, said: "I am impressed because most of the produce has been produced locally.

"I think the market is good for the town."

Sue Burgon, of North Wall, was similarly impressed but said: "There is a problem with parking in the town and we'll need more if people from villages want to come and shop.

"But I don't think it is premature to have the market before the town gets a new car park."

Celia Ryman, the owner of C And R Family Grocers, is one trader who thinks parking problems should have been resolved before bringing the market came to town.

But she said: "There is no evidence of a big influx of people. The parking in the street has been quite good today. If there was an influx of people it would only make things worse."

Cricklade Town Council wants to build a car park on land behind the Vale Of The White Horse Club and is negotiating with the club.

Market's history

Cricklade has been a market town since the 13th century but the markets have had a chequered history

The central Saxon market place fell into disuse at the time of the Black Death in the 14th century

By the time the market was reinstated the market place had been built over and from then on markets were held in the High Street

Weekly markets in the High Street ceased in the late 1700s but in 1837 they were re-started by an organising committee which also introduced fat stock shows

The markets continued until 1944 when they were moved to the railway station at the request of military authorities before being finally abandoned in 1953