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This year we promised you we'd be bigger and better than ever before. And d'you know what? We're keeping our promise! This year's Blackberry Fair has a Big Surprise at the end of the day with our Oxjam Big Party.

Music from:

    

Raw Baits Accoustic Sound System
Chris Thorn Spirit of the Didgeridoo
DJ World Worx

More info on the Oxjam Big Party Page ...


So what else is going on? If you've been before you'll know all about the cracking Markets element to what we do. You'll know that we always have great food, seasonal produce, well established Farmers' Market, amazing local crafts and workshops, demonstrations and all kinds of odd mad stuff going on all day. You'll know that we have music, theatre and children's crafts. But this year we've gone one better. Oh yes. This year we have ...

The Old Cheese Market

And not just any old cheese market. Oh no, we couldn't do that. That would be far to pedestrian. This one is not only reviving the tradition that Whitchurch was founded on; not only offering unique locally produced cheeses from Belton, Applebys and Reeces in the Market Hall; not only letting you relax and savour the carnival of tastes and smells, but it's also bringing you - the first Cheese Grand Prix. You'll have to be in the Bullring at 10:45 to find out, but trust us, Whitchurch High Street will never be the same again.

So what else is new this year? We know how tiring it can be, trailing up and down the High Street, Green End, Bullring, Mill Street and everywhere else in town to make sure you don't miss anything. So we thought we'd make sure you could have a place to relax, to sit, unwind and watch the world go by for a minute. This year we are delighted to bring you ...

SupaNova Sofas

You'll find a few madly customised sofas dotted around the place. These are sofas reclaimed from skips throughout the land (OK, from North Shropshire, mostly gained via those wonderful people at Freegle). They've been amusingly customised by a variety of local businesses just for you, so please enjoy them (but don't nick 'em or do nasty stuff to 'em as we have future plans for them). Pimp My Sofa indeed.

If you are a local businesses or organisation and would like to get creative and customise a sofa, please contact us and we'll get the necessary furniture to you.


But that's not enough. There's more to Blackberry Fair than just food, creativity, music, fun, magic, tomfoolery and festival madcappery. There is a chance once again to join us for a dance round town with our ...

Carnival of Plenty



Yup, you can join us in a big dance up the High Street in the (late) afternoon once again. If you were here last year you'd definitely remember the utterly wonderful Urban Gypsies. They're joining us again so if you were shy last year get ready to join in this time round.

This year we have another treat in store for you. We've (ssshhhh) borrowed one of the Chester Giants and we're making her our very own for the day. We're just building her now (end July 2011) but you can follow our work in progress on the Blackberry Fair Facebook Page and on the Giant Copia page here. She's big but she's beautiful, and there will be much more to come about here over the next few weeks.





Lots of stuff going on including:

    Ian Moore Interdimensional Wizard and much more ...


Details of our Market Traders and Stallplans so you can plan your visit. Parking information.



Farmers' Market in the Bullring

The monthly Farmer's Market has a new home in the Bulling, and we are delighted that it will be taking place on Blackberry Fair day again this year. This lively and expanding street market takes place on the first Saturday of EVERY month, all year round, and features the best local food and drink from North Shropshire. For more information, including dates and traders, please see their webpage at www.whitchurchfarmersmarket.co.uk. 



If you want to be a part of the increasingly mad affair that is Blackberry Fair, see our Get Involved page for how to join the fun!

Lots more details arriving soon. Applications for stalls are now closed, but if you are a trader and would like to join us for next year's Fair, please get in touch so we can add you to our contact list. If you are looking for a regular booking at a Whitchurch market, please contact either Whitchurch Town Council (crafts and general items (monthly) or weekly Friday market), or Geoff Handley (Farmers' Market only) via the Traders page of the Whitchurch Farmers' Market website for more information.


Watch this space ...


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