Helston's oldest traditional market is still thriving - reopening its kitchen this week after a two-year break due to covid.

The first Helston Country Market was held in 1958 and is still running today with a range of stalls offering local items, including flowers, pastries, fresh veg, preserves, honey, eggs, bags, and purses.

There is a real sense of community amongst the traders at The Guildhall - enjoying meeting people rather than worrying about making money.

Peter has been visiting the market for 40 years and selling flowers for 10 years, he said there isn't much money to be made off his stall, the social side is why he has been coming for so long.

Other people we spoke to at the market were Marjorie who has been involved since 1984 and Pat on the vegetable stall - both clearly have a lot of passion for the weekly market.

Helston Country Market trader and Media Officer Debbie Houghton has been part of the market for almost four years, she told Nub News:

"I was showing my dad around town, we popped in for a cup of tea, saw everything going in here, and thought it was lovely. I have never looked back. It is great to see and meet people every week - making a little bit on the side is just a bonus."

One of the challenges facing the country market is online shopping, Helston Country Market trader and Media Officer Debbie Houghton said:

"Bringing people in is the biggest challenge, if they're not in the street then they aren't going to come in and see what we are about. I think a lot of people got used to online shopping during the pandemic, click and collect at the supermarkets without seeing anybody. The town needs to brighten itself up to bring people and hopefully, that'll benefit everyone. As the only weekly market, it would be great if we could keep going from strength to strength."

Friday (18th) Helston Country Market will be reopening the kitchen after a two-year hiatus. Starting with tea, coffee, hot chocolate, toasted tea cakes, and cakes. If that all goes well they'll be offering bacon rolls.

Debbie added:

"Pay us a visit, stop for a cuppa and a chat, have a look around to see what amazing goods we have on offer. Every Friday in the Guildhall from 9am until 12:30pm."

Click here to see more from Helston Country Market.

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