Last Saturday Bideford was blessed with Spring Sunshine for its Farmers Market on the Quay and Curry Cooking event in the Pannier Market.

The little North Devon town was buzzing with shoppers and residents making the most of the lovely weather.

It was great to see life in the Pannier Market for a change.  I noticed some new stalls amongst the regulars.  One was Anne from Dragonfly Natural Family Care, selling lotions and potions and promoting her natural therapies and courses which she runs from the Bideford Wellbeing Centre.

Torridge District Council's Chefs Corner mobile kitchen was in the market for the day hosting a curry cook off with the Three Stooges; Bideford's Mayor Andy Powell,

Torridge District Council's lead member for tourism Roger Johnson and Devon Food Company's Clive Humphries.  This was followed by cooking demonstrations from two of Bideford's top Indian restaurant chefs, Nazrul Miah and Asaddar Miah.  It was great to see so many locals watching the demonstrations and tasting the delicious results!

Geoffrey Cox, Conservative Candidate for Torridge and West Devon, was doing the rounds in the market and meeting the locals. 

I was delighted to see that one of my favourite local artists, the wood carver John Butler has opened a workshop and showroom in Butcher's Row.  John says that it makes a nice change from working in a shed and because people can look in through the window it makes him more productive as he doesn't want them to see him just sitting around and reading the paper!

So there is life in the old dog yet!  It goes to show that people aren't too lazy to walk up the hill (or down it) to go to the Pannier Market and one thing I heard from all and sundry on the day is "Why on earth don't they have the Farmer's Market IN Bideford Pannier Market?"