Market manager Kardien Gerbrands talks about Swindon farmers' markets

HOW wonderful to see Strawberries back on sale at farmers markets again, straight from the farm and picked when they’re ripe for the full flavour.

I’m not sure we really give English strawberries the credit they deserve in terms of their importance to our health and the availability of English fruit.

The season for local strawberries is actually longer than the apple season.

With skilful use of the many varieties, it is possible to have the season extending from late April right through to early October — that’s nearly six months!

On top of this are the many health benefits from eating them; from high Vitamin C and K to anti-inflammatory properties and anti-oxidants, these little delights can benefit you on the inside while the wonderful sweet taste makes you smile on the outside.

This week’s Manager’s Choice is the sour dough loaf at La Parisienne. Sour dough bread is made by the fermentation of dough using naturally occurring lactobacilli and yeast; no raising agent is added.

It has a mildly tangy taste and is easier to digest than standard breads. It starts life as a fermented mixture of flour and water, known as the starter or leaven. As the baker takes from the starter it is continually refreshed so the baker will have a sour dough starter on the go at all times. Try it with cheeses, butter or toasted with peanut butter, honey or jam.

Come on down to the Swindon Designer Outlet this Sunday from 10am to 4pm and taste something wonderful.

Markets

  • Bradford on Avon, third Thursday, 9am to 1pm at Westbury Gardens, BA15 1DE.
  •  Bradford on Avon, last Sunday, 10.30am to 2.30pm at Lamb Yard, BA15 1FG.
  •  Calne, second Saturday, 9am to 1pm, near the library, SN11 0JU.
  •  Corsham, third Saturday, 9am to 1pm, High Street SN13 0HB.
  •  Devizes, first Saturday, 9am to 1pm, Market Place l Malmesbury, second and fourth Saturdays, 9am to 1pm, Market Cross 
  •  Royal Wootton Bassett, fourth Saturday, 9am to 1pm, High Street.
  •  Salisbury, weekly on Wednesdays, 9am to 2pm, Poultry Cross.
  •  Swindon Farmers’ Market, every Sunday, 10am to 4pm, Swindon Designer Outlet, Kemble Drive, SN2 2DY.
  •  Havelock Square Farmers’ Market, Swindon, every Thursday, 9am to 2.30pm.
  •  Trowbridge, second and fourth Friday, 9am to 1pm, Fore Street, BA14 8HX.
  •  Wanborough, third Saturday, 9am to midday, Wanborough Village Hall.
  •  Warminster, first and third Fridays, 9am to 1pm, central car park, BA 12 9BT