A POPULAR market returns again next weekend following a first successful festive event.

Over 800 people visited Hovingham market on Saturday with 40 stalls from local produce, arts and crafts in the grounds of and inside the Village Hall.

A second Christmas market, which is run entirely by volunteers, will be held on Saturday, December, 18, 10.30am-1.30pm.

There will be a celebratory atmosphere with live music performed by Swinton and District Excelsior Band. The special Christmas market will also feature a donkey with mistletoe for sale in aid of Parkinson’s UK, as the village Christmas tree forms a festive centrepiece.

Graham Mason, Chair of the Hovingham Village Market Committee said: “The successful return of Hovingham Village Market exceeded our expectations. We are so grateful for the fantastic support shown by the local community, and all our stallholders, visitors and volunteers.

“Our next market promises to be just as special, with extra stalls and on Saturday, December 18 in particular lots of festive fun. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone along.”

The market’s community café will be run by Hovingham Church.

Elsewhere in the village, Hovingham’s Christmas countdown also sees a Christmas carol concert held, with all welcome at All Saints’ Church on Saturday, December 11 from 5pm. For tickets, priced £10, call 01653 628386.

Hovingham Village Market is usually held on the first Saturday of each month, excluding January. The first market day of 2022 will be Saturday, February 5.

Face masks are optional at outdoor stalls but are encouraged to be worn in crowded spaces and must be worn when visiting stalls inside the Village Hall, which will be kept well-ventilated at all times.

The number of market stalls has been temporarily reduced from pre-pandemic levels, giving visitors more space to move between stalls. Visitors are asked to use hand sanitiser at the market entrance. Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms is asked not to attend and to follow government advice on self-isolation.

Visitors are asked to park considerately, avoiding residents’ driveways and grass verges to prevent any unnecessary damage.

The post code for SatNav is YO62 4JU.

For more details about Hovingham Village Market, visit www.hovingham-market.org.uk or follow us on Twitter @hovinghammarket and Facebook @TheHovinghamVillageMarket