DEREK Tomson from Lancashire has clocked up half-a-century of visiting a little-known weekly market in Tenbury.

The 89-year-old is 50 not out when it comes to visiting the Tenbury Country Market.

He has been visiting Tenbury and the Teme Valley every summer since the 1960s as part of a cricket tour.

Half-a-century ago the former financial services worker discovered the ‘hidden treasure’ that is the Tenbury Country Market.

He has been coming back every July ever since to stock up on supplies to take back to his home at Ramsbottom, near Bury in Lancashire.

Because he buys enough to see him through 12 months, he spends a lot of money and that is very welcome for the traders at the market which has been struggling in recent years.

“He usually just calls in for a few minutes but this time, to mark 50 years, we sat him down and made a fuss of him,” said Jean Pugh who has been involved with the market for many years.

“Next year, all being well, he will be back and will be 90 so we will probably be doing something special like make him a cake. He always comes early in the morning so that he can go and watch the cricket.

“He stocks up on preserves including jams, jellies and marmalade. Raspberry jam is his favourite and this year he took 10 jars away with him.

“Derek tells us that the supplies that he buys normally see him through until about April when he looks forward to coming to Tenbury to stock up again.”

The Tenbury Country Market meets every Tuesday morning at the Scout Hut although over the years it has had a number of different ‘homes’ in the town.

As well as the foods and preserves that includes fruit and vegetables, the market also sells cut flowers, craft items, knitwear, embroidery, beeswax polish, toys and cards.

All of the items sold are grown or made in Tenbury and the Teme Valley and the market has a reputation for its cut flowers.

But the market has found the going tough in recent years.

“There is no doubt that there has been a decline in the number of customers over the years,” said Jean Pugh.

“We have costs to meet but will keep going as long as we are viable. Many country markets have come and gone in other towns but we are determined to carry on.

“The produce and food that we sell is home-grown and produced and has a special quality but that does mean it tends to be more expensive and people are very conscious of price these days.”

She said that the country market was at its peak when it was open alongside the weekly cattle market that stopped more than a decade ago.

Jean Pugh added that many traders were worried about the impact that the planned arrival of Tesco will have on the country market and shops in Tenbury.