Case Study: Hadrian's Wall Farmers' Market

Amount awarded: £5,870

In late 2005 Wendy Bond applied for a grant from the Sustainable Development Fund to help support the growing Hadrian’s Wall Farmers Market, based in Greenhead Village Hall. They not only needed funding to buy new stalls and tables, but also to create new promotional material for the project. The Market provides a venue for local people to congregate, whether they are from farms, businesses, communities, or otherwise.

All of the food available is of an extremely high quality and locally sourced. Wendy Bond, explained: “the January Market was in many ways a test of our viability – and we passed with flying colours.”

Hadrian's Wall Farmers' Market

She continues “Very large numbers of shoppers came…and the majority of the buyers were local people from the area between Bardon Mill and Gilsland. The stall holders were very satisfied – one sold out completely before I could pick up my favourite item!”

Wendy also said that “There were far more volunteers involved in the various tasks than ever before, all in good heart. So we are rest assured - the Market is definitely here to stay and part of the shopping pattern for people here.”

This project in particular demonstrates how a small grant from the Sustainable Development Fund can help to make a lasting impact to local people.

For more information visit the Hadrian's Wall Villages website