FOR the first time, Crediton Farmers’ Market has won the Taste of the West title of best farmers’ market in the South West.

Crediton Farmers’ Market began in October 1998 on the car park that later became the town square, after demolition of and moving Crediton Fire Station.

It was filmed for an episode of the BBC television series Down to Earth and survivied the devastating effects of Foot and Mouth disease in 2001.

At first it was backed by Mid Devon District Council but by 2003 it was established as a fully-fledged Farmers’ Market Association with its own constitution, managing its own affairs.

Dodie Huxter of Welland Down Farm, Sandford (South Ham Lamb), became its first chairman. Simon O’Sullivan of Granny’s Meadow Nursery has been chairman for the past four years, standing down at the annual meeting this month, Sarah May of Red Ruby Devon Beef taking over.

Hils Fry of Hat-a-Cake is continuing as secretary while Dave Johnson of Norsworthy Dairy Goats has stood down as treasurer with Teresa Rodriguez of Paperface taking over.

The market has been honoured in no less than four separate years by readers of Devon Life magazine and market customers who have voted the market the Best in Devon in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2014.

Now it has been voted the Best in the South West. One of its founder members is Andrew Harvey of Redhill Farm who provided much of the above information.

From one market a month, they are now held on the first and third Saturday of each month on the town square.

Last week the entertainment was by Queen Elizabeth’s Jazz Band with Lucy Welsman, teacher of music at QE and leader of the band.

The band is playing at the Boniface Centre at 7.30pm on Friday, October 9. Reherarsals are going on for the school’s production in February of Into The Woods.

Members of the Rotary Club of Crediton were promoting the work of Rotary and encouraging new members to join.