A very Happy and Prosperous New Year to all of you.
Now, if you have a moment, sit yourself down; nice cup of tea..

and think what lovely food you can get at the Next West Malling Farmers market.

This Sunday! 20th December! The West Malling Farmers Market, now the busiest Farmers Market in Kent, will be full of the very finest, locally produced foods and drinks for your Christmas. Make it a special year, with really good, really tasty, really real food.

Food and drink, sweets, cakes and presents to make a special day, because, Santa knows, you deserve it.

The weather looks good, the council will have cleared the slush, the Farmers will be there, the parking will be free, the hostelries will be welcoming and all will be well, so see you there.

…no, no, no, not Paris. you aren’t getting dodgy perfume on West Malling Farmers Market; we are a proper market.

Instead we are going to do a bit of Blue Sky Thinking, (groan), and suggest a fab way you might try your Sprouts this Christmas.

Cook ‘em up in the normal way, and then, just before serving, when they are piping hot, mix in a teaspoon or two of Chilli Jam, (from Love Chillis, West Malling Farmers Market), and have a great green this Christmas.

Cool, huh? And hot.

..will be there to help with the Christmas food and foodie presents you deserve.

Among the many stalls of fine produce is Jenny’s stall:

“Jenny will be selling Ham from Farmer Palmer Products.  Graham and Miranda Palmer of Burnt House Farm, Smarden, situated in the Low Weald of Kent, specialise in the production of quality beef, lamb and pork for local consumption. The Aberdeen Angus breed produces marbled, succulent beef that is matured for a minimum of three weeks. Likewise, the Romney lamb, Kent’s native sheep, is held in high esteem around the world and the Berkshire and Saddleback pig produces pork second to none.
These breeds are ideally suited to our non-intensive farming practices. The entire farm consists of permanent pasture, much of which is managed under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. This involves non-usage of artificial fertilisers and sprays, alongside the renovation and planting of hedgerows and substantial pond clearance. These practices encourage an increase in flora and fauna on the farm and in the surrounding environment.

Animal welfare is a priority. We believe in happy, healthy animals that have the freedom to behave naturally. No growth promoters or in feed antibiotics are used.

Their Ham is cured each week and sold at the weekend, and is of superb quality”

That’s this weekend, for the finest Ham in Kent. Be early.

November’s West Malling Farmers Market is this Sunday, 22nd  of November, 9:30 to 1:30

Now, lets see:

Stall holders win Gold award at the World Cheese Championships. That’ll be our regular stars Winterdales then. Well done!

And the Telegraph and Sarah Raven (of BBC’s Gardeners World) have praised Rapkyns for their great and unusual selection of late flowering perennials. Thats the Rapkyns who are also regulars here.

So, please, come and share in the very best that Kent has to offer, great cheeses, great food, fantastic plants, and more.