End of an Era Dawns

It is with some considerable sadness that we report the imminent closure, at the end of this month, of Rhuthun/Ruthin Country Market. Unless, that is, at least two new producers come out of the woodwork. It's been with us for some 30 years, starting life as the W.I. Market. The Country Market's certainly had its ups and its downs. The downs started immediately post-Tesco when, so it was reported by those who then ran it, takings had fallen. It seemed odd that Tesco should compete against the niche market that was genuinely home made food. We put this down to a reduction in post-Tesco town centre footfall.

The market is reduced to just this

Then came news that there had been a falling out among its (rather un-) co-operative members, with a rivalry between it and the indoor market, held in the same venue but on different days and one that had a jealous eye on the Country Market customers, not to mention that the indoor market wanted to appropriate Friday's space allocated to the Country Market. Realising it needed change, the Country Market organiser felt it had secured the necessary agreements but it seems its dwindling members thought otherwise. The organiser then cut her losses and defected to the town hall indoor market. The indoor market insisted that it trade on a Friday and, as a result, the Country Market itself relocated to the Presbyterian school room neath the church itself.

The competition. This is Mrs Howe's stall in the indoor market. It's not as if this market is full of people

Add old age and death within the County Market's community and with Country Market membership now just three people (only two of whom bake or cook) its future's been bleak for some time. Over the years, they have, however, served Rhuthun rather well. Remember the 1980s and 1990s queues ahead of the opening time? The amply stocked tables. And the sheer variety of home made food stuffs available.

As a consumer of Country Market items, this blogger would like to pay tribute to the producers over the years and thank them for their service to Rhuthun's townspeople. There was a time when the market was a considerable draw from surrounding villages and towns and, in its heyday, I've known people from as far away as Cheshire calling regularly for items.

The two last bakers are Joan and Hazel.