Market's ode to autumn

Hundreds of visitors helped Haverfordwest Farmers Market celebrate its 10th birthday at this year's Harvest Fayre.

The annual autumn fayre, which was held in glorious autumn sunshine last Friday, celebrates the best seasonal local produce as well as British Food Fortnight.

Stall holders reported bumper sales as visitors browsed through the tempting choice of delicious local produce on offer.

There were cookery demonstrations, recipe ideas and tastings - including fresh crab cakes, leek and pumpkin soup and turkey with cider apples and smoked bacon. They also had the chance to sample freshly cooked ware from Chef John Quilter on his tour around UK Farmers Markets for UKTV.

Shoppers explored the flavours and textures of British apples and pears and watched demonstrations of crab dressing and poultry preparation.

There were also gardening workshops on autumn planting and winter maintenance, as well as information on recycling and composting, while Health Challenge Pembrokeshire hosted a stall with tips on how to achieve a healthy lifestyle.

"It was a wonderful day and the atmosphere was really buzzing," said Pembrokeshire County Council Food Officer, Kate Morgan.

"Loads of people came to visit, which made a wonderful birthday present for the popular market."

Several competitions were also held on the day. The winners were: Jean Williams of Crundale, who won the Do You Know Your Herbs Quiz?; Georgina Norman, a pupil at Mary Immaculate School in Haverfordwest won the Letter Trail, while Jane Hayton of Rosebush won the Food Miles Challenge.

The award-winning Haverfordwest Farmers Market is held every other Friday and is managed by Pembrokeshire County Council.

It was the FARMA Farmers Market of the Year and True Taste Gold Retail winner in 2005/6, a FARMA regional winner in 2006/7 and runner up in the FARMA rural Farmers Market of the Year this year.

Photograph: Christine Viles from Claws Shellfish, Hazelbeach with pupils from Mary Immaculate School in Haverfordwest.