The next Durham City Farmers’ Market on March 19th will see school children recreating the sights – and flavours – of World War I, as five regional Primary Schools set up World War I themed market stalls.
The five schools are participating in the Soil Association’s Food for Life project, learning about recipes and food preparation techniques which would have been popular 100 years ago, during the Great War. The six month project has involved visits to Beamish Museum and Broom House Farm. As it now nears its completion, the pupils will be manning themed market stalls, selling produce based on what they have learned to visitors to the market.
Pupils from Acre Rigg Primary in Peterlee, St Joseph’s Primary in Blackhall, Edmonsley Primary, Kirk Merrington Primary and St Chads in Bishop Auckland will be dressing in period costume and manning the stalls themselves throughout the day.
Rupert Aker, Head of Engagement for the Soil Association, commented:
“Yet again this year, the students have worked extremely hard, and impressed us with their enthusiasm to understand how food would have been produced a hundred years ago. The most exciting part is seeing how they then can relate the new skills they’ve learned to their own lives today, and we’re sure plenty of people will stop to talk to them during the market, and enjoy sampling their produce.”
“The Soil Association is looking forward to continuing this programme from September, and helping more children learn new skills based on those being used 100 years ago.”
Colin Wilkes, Managing Director of Durham Markets, added:
“We’re delighted that the Soil Association and the children will be back in the Market Place on Thursday, adding to the atmosphere of what is always a very popular Market day in Durham. They will no doubt be enthusiastic sales people, and happy to share what they have learned with their customers. This is a chance for the children to celebrate their successes in the Food for Life project, and our visitors will no doubt enjoy the extra choice at this month’s Farmers’ Market.”
The World War I themed stalls will be ‘open to trade’ in Durham Market Place from 9am on Thursday 19th March. Competition entries for the Soil Association’s Easter Bonnet and Paste Egg competitions will also be on display. Alongside these will be the regional producers who regularly trade at Durham City Farmers’ Market, supplying fresh meat, seasonal vegetables, baked goods, pies, confectionery and more. There will also be a number of stalls offering clothing, homewares and gifts.
The Soil Association is currently inviting schools to take part in the next Food for Life project, which will run from September 2015. Any schools interested in participating should email Barbara Chrisp at bchrisp@soilassociation.org.