Sunday sees the opening of Great Rock Co-op’s festive Pop-Up Shop at Staups Lea Farm in Higher Eastwood.
Run by members of Blackshaw Food Network, the shop will sell local produce from free range turkeys, sausages and bacon to organic vegetables, cakes, preserves, local beverages and festive breads.
Local craftspeople are also bringing handmade goods, ideal for last-minute gifts or stocking fillers.
Group member Jan Melloy said: “We’ll be serving mulled wine and all sorts of tasty nibbles. We even have two donkeys with us who will be happy to entertain children while parents browse.”
The pop-up is a showcase for the co-op’s permanent shop due to open in March 2013. Twenty-one local producers will be selling their wares at the pop-up shop and more are ready to come on board in the new year. Farm shops are not unusual but as a not-for-profit organisation, Great Rock Co-op is a rarity. The aim is to maximise earnings for producers so that they can reinvest in and expand their businesses.
Group member Angie Guy said: “We were lucky enough to find space in Sally and Jonathan Stansfield’s barn at Staups Lea Farm and after many evenings hunched round kitchen tables, planning, organising and drinking gallons of tea, we’ve made great progress.”
The group’s hard work has resulted in the Community Fund for Calderdale awarding £2,000 to fit out the shop. Debbie McCall said: “This grant makes it all possible now. By March, the shop will be fitted out properly and we’ll be open every Saturday.”
The Pop Up opens at 10am until 4pm on Sunday at Staups Lea Farm (post code OL14 8RR).
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Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
