The popular Baildon Farmers Market celebrates its tenth anniversary this Saturday.

The first market took place in September 2012 after months of planning. It was set up by a group of volunteers including Baildon Belles Women’s Institute, parish councillors and representatives from business and farming.

Despite some initial opposition from local businesses, its future was secured after it received backing from Baildon Town Council.

In 2018 a new Community Interest Company was created to take over the running of the market, with four volunteer directors who’ve been involved from the start.

They are Sara Mogford (local businesswoman and owner of Assembly Marketing), Gill Dixon (chair of Baildon Town Council), Jill Swift (Baildon Belles Deputy President) and Rachel Coates (farmer at Low Springs Farm).

They are supported on market day by a team of local volunteers who manage the Information Point.

Highlights of the past decade include reaching the finals of the prestigious Farma Awards and being named as one of the best Farmers Markets in the UK by iNews. The market has rarely cancelled in its 10-year history, with only a few months off during the worst of the pandemic.

It even took place in the record-breaking snow of March 2013, when roads across the district were closed and the Ian Clough car park had to be cleared by tractor to allow stallholders to set up.

Now a well-loved institution, the event attracts large numbers of shoppers. Between 20 and 30 stallholders - some of whom have been trading at the market since it began - sell fresh Yorkshire produce which they've grown, reared, baked or otherwise made themselves.

Produce on sale includes traditional farmers market fare like homemade cakes and brownies, sourdough bread, pork pies and sausage rolls, fresh and smoked fish, grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, organic veg, local cheese and a plethora of jams and pickles.

More unusually, discover award-winning curry sauce, homemade Italian lasagne, Wensleydale gin, Greek meze, freshly-made crepes and Baildon-blended coffee.

To celebrate the anniversary, this Saturday there’ll be birthday cake, a free children’s trail, and music from Headingley Community Choir. Shoppers will be able to purchase new-look bags and coffee mugs to commemorate the anniversary - all available from the Information Point.

Baildon Farmers Market takes place this Saturday from 9am until 1pm in the Ian Clough car park in the centre of Baildon village, and on the fourth Saturday of every month. Visit baildonfarmersmarket.org or follow Baildon Farmers Market on Facebook or Instagram for up to date information.