Following a huge public outcry and spirited support from across Cornwall’s food, farming and environmental community, the Big Summer Market hosted by Truro Farmers Market on Lemon Quay will now go ahead as originally planned.
The five-day event had long been billed as a showcase of Cornwall’s small, artisan producers, but organisers were told it would have to be cancelled when Lemon Quay was designated as a protest site for the G7 summit – taking place 23 miles away at Carbis Bay this June.
However, people power came to the rescue, with many local leaders and organisations stating the same thing: the arrival of World Leaders and global media outlets should not be allowed to disrupt a community celebration of food, farming and crafts.
Thanks to this Cornish uprising, a real David and Goliath moment, the decision was overturned; another site was assigned for peaceful protest, and instead local traders will give their own demonstration – of great food, creativity and sustainable living.
The Big Summer Market will take place from 9th – 13th June, featuring over 50 stalls of food and drink, crafts, homewares and gifts alongside entertainment, street food stalls, live music and vintage tractors.
Market Chairman Graham Bradshaw commented: “This will be a feast of summer flavours, as our stallholders celebrate the most vibrant, colourful and abundant time of year here in Cornwall. After the challenges of the last eighteen months, this will be a hugely positive moment for the market, the city and the wider community.”
Food lovers are invited to shop for fresh, sustainably-caught fish and shellfish, grass-fed and free range meat from local farmers, artisan dairy products and Cornish store cupboard staples. Drinks aficionados can expect a huge swathe of locally made craft beers, small-batch ciders, award-winning wines and artisan spirits. Arts and craft stalls will range from vintage homewares to willow weaving, handmade soaps to unique jewellery.
Amongst the groups coming out in support of the market were Extinction Rebellion, who pointed out: “It’s been an incredibly tough year for local traders and the Farmers Market has put a lot of effort into a five-day event to try and make up some of their lost revenue,” adding that “nobody we know of is planning any sort of mass protests in Truro.”
Truro City Council also made their views know, issuing this statement: “Truro City Council is pleased that our concerns have been listened to and that Lemon Quay will not be the location for people to make peaceful protests and demonstrations. This will allow the farmers market to continue as planned and the city centre to operate normally.”
Market Coordinator Stewart Girvan is relieved and excited that the event will now go ahead, saying: “With no protests actually planned for Lemon Quay, it would be nonsensical to lose a wonderful local event like this. Now we can get on with delivering what promises to be a brilliant five days for both the local community and visitors to Cornwall. If the G7 leaders are looking for some great food and local culture, they should come along!”
For more information visit www.trurofarmers.co.uk.