Try Llangollen Country Market for a bargain

* Country Market secretary Joan Sneyd on her own hand-knitted clothing stall.

Llangollen Country Market has opened for business at the start of what it hopes will be another busy trading season.

Nationally, the country market concept goes back to 1919 when they were run by the Women’s Institute (WI).

That is how they were known until about 20 years ago when they took on a more modern and business-like look.

But whatever name they have gone by, the basic principle of the markets has never changed – selling home-made food and crafts of the highest quality at the best prices.

Llangollen Country Market has been trading since 1977, first at the Memorial Hall and later at the Town Hall where it is still based.

Last year it celebrated its 40th anniversary with a fantastic morning attended by the Mayor and Town Crier.

Country Market secretary Joan Sneyd said: “We hold the market every Friday morning in the Town Hall from early March to late December, between 9.45am and 12.45pm, with the exceptions of Good Friday and Eisteddfod week.

“We sell quality locally hand-made, fresh home-grown and hand-crafted goods , including cakes and preserves, in season fruit and veg, plants (indoor and garden) and many types of crafts such as jewellery, children's wear, cards, walking sticks, hand knitted, crocheted and sewn items.

“We offer refreshments to our customers and everything is at very reasonable prices.”