Does Winchester City Council really understand the Farmers Market at all?  It is the greenest possible way of supporting local producers and providing high-quality, decently priced, food and drink, yet they are treated like some after-thought.

Today (Sunday September 11) the market was cancelled because of an event at the Guildhall to do with the new King’s proclamation.  The stallholders were informed on Friday and one tells me her Facebook feed is full of traders tying to sell perishable goods off cheap.

The market - which moves up and down the High Street with little cohesion - was to have been cancelled for a forthcoming cycle race but the stallholders rebelled and will be able to operate instead in the Middle Brook Street carpark, which is where it all began, back in the days of a really flourishing market.  Why couldn’t they have been in the carpark today?

It can’t seriously be deference, because the official government guidance following the death of the Queen says: "There is no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venues during the National Mourning period. This is at the discretion of individual organisations. As a mark of respect, organisations might wish to consider cancelling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the State Funeral. They are under no obligation to do so and this is entirely at the discretion of individual organisations.”

I received this information via The Heritage Alliance on Friday - I can’t believe the councils haven’t received it.

On a slightly different tack, the Theatre Royal cancelled its Friday performance, but the Southampton theatres remained open.

This is no time to inflict economic or any other sort of damage on communities.


Judith Martin,

Romsey Road,

Winchester

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