Farmers come to town

A POPULAR Suffolk tourist attraction is today preparing to host a new farmer's market as part of moves to bring in hundreds more visitors.

Stowmarket's Museum of East Anglian Life will host monthly sales from May 7 in an extension to the existing twice-weekly offering.

Neville Tye, market officer at the town council, said: "This move is really in response to public demand.

"There seems to be a desire for one in the town and really it's a natural progression for us now we've turned the existing market around."

Already 12 prospective stallholders have expressed an interest in taking part, although it is hoped the final number will exceed 20.

Mr Tye added: "I think it has got the potential to do really well. The surroundings are ideal and when it gets established I think it will be great for the town, the museum and the town council.

"The more people we can attract to the town the better it will be for the traders and residents."

The market, which will be held in the Museum Barn and surrounding area, will be restricted to traders from within a 30-mile radius of Stowmarket.

Products on sale, which will include plants, herbs, dairy produce and meat, will also have to be produced by the traders themselves.

Duncan Macpherson, local councillor and a board member at the museum, said the move could help promote the museum's attractions.

He said: "It will make going to the market more interesting and it's good for the museum because more people will get to see it.

"Many don't realise there's a 70-acre museum in the middle of Stowmarket with a unique set of artefacts and attractions."

nWould you rather buy produce from a farmers' market or your local superstore? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or join the forum at www.eveningstar.co.uk