Spring Fair Packed with Shoppers

Spring wasn’t in the air for Banbury’s seasonal food fair in Market Place on Sunday but shoppers turned out in their thousands to sample and buy a superb selection of eats and drinks.

Visitors ignored the morning and early afternoon drizzle and crowded around nearly 70 stalls packed with delightful delicacies served up by small producers.

There were tastes and tipples from many nations and cultures – with something for people of all ages. Produce ranged from burgers to biscuits, from cheese to chocolate, and from lager to lemonade.

Organised by Banbury Town Council, the ‘Taste of Spring’ event brought shoppers and great food together for an occasion where alfresco lunches and takeaway teas were the orders of the day. Hot and cold offerings satisfied the on-the-spot eaters and the take home purchasers.

The street market atmosphere brought back memories of years gone by when Thursdays and Saturdays in Banbury were packed with stalls and traders selling bargains galore.

Today though, market traders can’t compete with £ shops and supermarkets and only special events such as food fairs can fill the traditional town centre Market Place.

Live music added to Sunday’s atmosphere and the free-to-enter event ran from 10.30am until 4.30pm.

A spokesperson for the council said: “Sunday’s well-attended food fair was the first of a dozen or so events planned for the coming year. It was a great success despite the drizzly weather.

“The next event will be a massive party in Spiceball Park on Sunday 7 May to celebrate the coronation of King Charles lll.

“Like Sunday’s food fair, the party will be free admission.”