Country Market stall at The Star needs volunteer bakers to keep the cakes, biscuits and pies flowing
A Country Markets stall selling home-baked goods from its base in a Bishop’s Stortford pub’s yard is appealing for volunteers.
Freshly baked cakes, biscuits, pies, quiches and sausage rolls, along with jams, fresh fruit and vegetables and crafts, are sold from the rear of The Star in Water Lane every Thursday morning between 8am and 11.30am.
Manager Valerie Dakin and volunteer baker Lynne Lecomber are in desperate need of an extra pair of hands to help run the stall and produce the baked goods.
“We’re a bit thin on the ground and couldn’t open last week as we were both on holiday. We need people to help us bake, so they must have the required food hygiene certificate, and maybe make sausage rolls as I’m no longer able,” said Valerie.
Lynne added: “Whoever comes in to help, we can work out what they do, but a couple of volunteers would be great. We have a lot of regular older customers but are starting to get younger people now, and people also order and collect from us.
“A few more cooks would give us a chance to step back a little bit as at the moment we have to keep going – it would be nice to halve and share what we do.”
This week, the stall was offering seasonal crafts including knitted and crocheted pumpkins in varying sizes and colours.
Anyone interested in helping out can call Valerie on 07764 578207.
Country Markets is a nationwide network of markets selling a variety of local and seasonal goods. The idea originated from the Women’s Institute.
Its website says: “Producers pride themselves on the quality of their produce and the friendliness of their markets, many of which have become popular, lively meeting places.
“Country Markets is affiliated with Co-ops UK and ‘Making Local Food Work’ Project, which focuses on promoting community enterprises as a solution to local food needs.
“It aims to reconnect consumers to the land by increasing access to fresh, healthy local food.”
Photos by Hollie Ryder
