A special market took place in The Venue in Ross-on-Wye, to mark the anniversary of the Ross Country Market on Saturday, October 7th.

Opened 70 years ago in October 1947, the Market was originally located in a small shop in the town centre. It has gone through many changes since then.

The 70th anniversary of the Ross Country Market was a great success and the market was buzzing. The stallholders saw nearly double the usual number of customers, and many previous producers joined the celebration.

The cake was cut at midday by the market’s oldest customer, Mr Richard Seddon, who is 98.

There were refreshments and a display of very interesting, historic photographs and letters, which concerned the market from all those years ago.

This included an attendance book in which the stallholders discovered one of their customers has been coming to the market for 56 years.

There were several lovely comments, including: “This is a great place, with excellent local produce.” “A highlight of coming to England.”

And one couple who came for the first time said: “A hidden gem, now added to our weekly list!”

Still running every Saturday, fresh vegetables and cakes are among the many items on sale, which have to be produced in a domestic kitchen or garden.