SIX years ago the first Hovingham market since 1853 was officially opened.

The market, which had been discontinued 162 years ago when the steam railway came to Hovingham, was relaunched after the majority of residents in the village supported the idea.

A team of volunteers worked tirelessly to revive the monthly market with more than 30 stalls selling local produce attending the first event.

Since then Hovingham Village Market has continued to go from strength to strength winning numerous regional and national awards.

Held on the first Saturday of every month, from February through to December, with a second special Christmas event in December, the market now attracts more than 40 outdoor and indoor stalls selling local, fresh, healthy, seasonal food, including vegetables, meat, fish, cheese, pickles, oils, honey, bread, cakes, pastries, beer, wine and other products.

Farmer and market chairman Pete Stark said: "The market is a monthly social focus for locals to come together, providing a safe environment where friends meet and at the same time they buy fresh local produce, crafts which supports and nurtures local businesses.

"It also promotes and enables local community groups to run community cafes and stalls at the market, using their volunteers and enthusiasm to raise valuable funds, spread information about themselves and recruit new members. To date this has raised £50,000 for these groups."

Pete said a core team of about 20 volunteers made the market possible on a monthly basis.

"There are roles for people of all ages, experience and backgrounds," he said. "People can get involved both to offer and get help."

Hovingham market has also announced its first market apprentice, Samuel Chapman, of SC Stone Sculptures in Stonegrave.

"This is a very new idea where the market supports and promotes a local artisan, giving them the unique opportunity to promote themselves at the market," Pete said.

"It also gives them the exposure to expand their ideas beyond what would otherwise be possible allowing them to be mentored by those who have already achieved success and sharing experience.

"Hovingham Market is sustainable, enabling it to maintain and fund itself and to invest for the future."

Its numerous awards include Awards:

• Best Community Project 2015 Finalist. North Yorkshire County Council

• Duke of York Community Initiative Award 2014-2019;

• Best Yorkshire Farmer's Market 2012 awarded by the Yorkshire Life; Yorkshire Rural Oscars 2012 awarded by the Countryside Alliance;

• Most Improved Green Market 2011;

• UK's Greenest Market 2010 awarded by the National Market Traders Federation.

Pete said: "The market has helped to change the way local groups are thinking; enabling interaction with a wider audience of their potential volunteers and users, plus gaining confidence to extend their reach into the larger community of North Yorkshire," he said.

“The market works on different levels. It is an important monthly focal point for our community where local producers sell high quality produce to local people at a fair price. There is something very special about Hovingham Village Market reflected by our recent award from North Yorkshire County Council."

Hovingham Market will be held on on Saturday, December 5 and Saturday, December 19, from 10.30am to 1.30pm.

For more information, go to hovingham-market.org.uk