A pop-up cake stall in a couple’s St Nicholas-at-Wade garden last Christmas was so popular it has now evolved into a full-size monthly market at the Bell Meadow Pavilion.
Sally Martin, who has run Bun in the Oven Cakery for the past 11 years, and partner Dan Matharu, who works at Prestige Paint & Powder Coat Ltd with Sally’s dad, have taken on the venture to support small businesses and give villagers a regular spot to buy local goods.
Mum-of-two Sally has been in the catering trade for some 20 years, since she was 16, running her own business from home and at events including markets, Broadstairs Food Festival and the Kent County Show.
Last Christmas markets were a little quieter than usual so Sally decided to sell off her surplus at the impromptu pop-up.
She said: “Lots of people came and a few said I should do it regularly. I did it again in January and lots of locals came again.
“Dan said we should have a proper, big market and get lots of other traders so I did the legwork and we had our first market in February.
“We to create something positive for the village — a regular event that brings people together while supporting local small businesses. It’s very much a community-led project rather than a profit-driven venture, with the aim simply to cover costs and build something sustainable for the area.”
The idea has taken off and The Meadow Market has grown to host more than 20 traders with stalls including fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh bread and sourdough, local cheese, hot food, bagels, homemade bakes and sweet treats, award-winning fudge, jams and local honey, handmade soaps, resin gifts, sublimation items, 3D printed products, crochet and handmade crafts, dog treats, and even a “blind date with a book” stall.
It is also very much a community venture with St Nicholas at Wade Parish Council giving use of the Pavilion and tennis courts area for the market and St Nicholas at Wade Primary allowing overflow parking on the school site.
Sons Clayton, 13, and Harvey, 10, also pitch in with Clayton helping on the cake stall and taking his food hygiene certificate, and Harvey running a games stall.
Sally, who has also launched a cake shed at her village home, said: “We’re proud to have a strong base of regular traders who have supported the market from the start, including Darn That Yarn, Pitcher’s Preserves, Chloe’s Fudgey Fancies, Odin Prints, I Made It My Own, Simmon’s Scents, Brush & Stitch and The Dogg Shop, alongside many other small independent businesses.
“We’ve also welcomed a number of new traders to the market, including Bagel Rock, Tania’s Ice Cream, Good Plates, Me Time, Book & Brew and Moonlight Creations, helping to grow the variety and offer even more for visitors each month.
“We are making a conscious effort to attract families, with simple fair-style games such as hook-a-duck and tin can alley, alongside the ice cream van, to encourage visitors to stay longer and make a day of it. We’ve also had some character visits such as Spiderman and Minions.”
The couple have been promoting the market both on and offline with posters around the village and leaflets through doors, and are now in the process of applying for planning permission from the district council to use the Bell Meadow field.
Sally said: “We are hoping to grown the market and also do a big summer fair with a bouncy castle.”
There are still a few trader spots open for a florist, fruit and veg (the current stall is boxes made up from farm shops) and cheeses.
The next market will take place on Sunday 26th April, 10am – 2pm, Bell Meadow Pavilion, St Nicholas-at-Wade (CT7 0PX)
Entry is free and dogs are welcome.
The market is held on the last Sunday of every month.
For stall enquiries email Sally at [email protected]
