A FEATURE of Ludlow life for more than half-a-century is on the brink of having to close.

The regular Ludlow Country Market at the Women’s Centre is close to having to shut its doors.

However, unlike many retail businesses, the problem is not a lack of customers but the loss of some important sellers.

Now there is a desperate need, especially for bakers and plant-sellers to join the market which takes place every Saturday morning.

“We have traded almost every week for the past half-a-century,” said Bettine Howes, who has been chairman of the market for the past 10 years and involved with it for more than 20.

“The only time that we close is for a few weeks around Christmas and the New Year. After Christmas people are either broke, on a diet or still eating the left-overs.

“We even continued during a period when the Women’s Centre lost its water supply about five years ago.”

She said that the Country Market movement dates back to the time of the First World War and started in Canada.

“They were set up as a way for the wives of farmers and agricultural workers to make some extra money,” added Bettine Howes.

“We urgently need new producers and helpers.

“Some key members have left in the past two months and unless we can replace them quickly we will have to close.

“In particular, we desperately need new bakers and we are also short of plant producers.

“Of course, people can join the market without being producers. We need members to help set up on Saturdays and also people who are willing to join our committee and help us to run the market. One really important requirement at the moment is someone to take on the role of treasurer.”

She said that the prospect of having to close the market after so long was very painful, especially for some members and supporters who have been involved for decades.

“None of us likes to think of having to close the market,” added Bettine Howes.

“Some of our helpers and customers have been involved for decades and the market has been a significant part of Ludlow life for 55 years.”

At one time the market was run in conjunction with the WI and was known as the Ludlow WI Market.

“We had to stop this because we are a co-operative and the WI is a charity,” Bettine Howes said.

“As a co-operative, members work together to sell each other’s produce.”

“In addition to food and crafts we also sell crafts and have a wood turner.

“Many of our customers are elderly and some of them find cooking difficult so we are an important source of traditional cooked food. In that respect it is not just a market but a public service.

“People who regularly visit Ludlow as tourists often come back year after year to buy from us.”

The market pays a rent to the Ludlow Women’s Centre that comes from a small percentage of the sales income.

Anyone with an interest in joining the market is invited to call in on a Saturday morning or call Bettine Howes, telephone 01584 873297.