THE sun shone on Stokesley‘s Farmers’ Market, as crowds gathered to look at the stalls and also to congratulate the winners of the National Farmers’ Market of the Year Award for 2014.

Stokesley was one of six finalists, competing for the title, and the winner was announced at the FARMA awards ceremony in Kenilworth, Warwickshire. There to receive the award was Nigel Davison, manager of Northern Dales Farmers’ Markets, accompanied by Malcolm Dearmer, chairman of the directors.

“I couldn’t believe it when they announced Stokesley as the winner,” said Mr Davison.

“I didn’t think that I’d be able to get up out of my chair, I was so shocked. All I remember saying in my speech was that we have now put the north-east of Yorkshire firmly on the map.”

The triumph all came about thanks to a chance remark that Mr Davison made to local parish councillor Lynn Southern. He had been the market manager for five years and mentioned to her that his ambition was to enter the competition, but the only thing that stopped him was the paperwork.

“Lynn was fantastic,” said Mr Davison. “She did the paperwork with me and was instrumental in helping us get the award.”

Gareth Jones, the awards judge, called the market a jewel.

“It is brimming with local food, and bursting with energy,” he said. “It is clear why it is so much loved.”

He mentioned the magic of the setting and the excitement of the people.

However, the first time Mr Davison met Gareth Jones, things were not quite so friendly. Mr Davison was manning his plant stall, when he noticed a man strolling around the market, taking photos and asking questions. He became concerned, and gave the man rather a hard time.

“I was quite abrupt with him,” Mr Davison said.

“Then I found out that he was Gareth Jones from FARMA, who is responsible for the awards. I thought I had really blown it then, but he praised me saying that I was doing a great job by being concerned and looking out for my stallholders.”

Natalie Collins, from the Chunk Chocolate stall, is thrilled that Stokesley has won such an accolade.

“We know there is a magic here,” she said. ”People congregate here, and there is a real community vibe. They come with large shopping bags because there is such a diversity of stalls.”

Many stallholders agree that the award is good for the market and for the town and they are loud in their praise of Stokesley people and the local businesses who support them. They are also grateful to an active and very supportive parish council.

Malcolm Smallwood, of the parish council, declared: “This is a great achievement and we are all immensely proud. It is a great thing for Stokesley which is a traditional market town.

“Some of our local businesses claim that when the market is in town they have their best trading day of the month, and visitors to Stokesley use the local cafes, pubs and restaurants which increases trade in the area.”

Chairman of the council, Andy Wake, spent one recent Saturday morning congratulating all the stallholders, and handing out certificates from the parish council.

“This is a massive boost for the town,” he said. “You can’t beat coming to Stokesley on a day like this.

We are very supportive of the Friday and farmer’s market and we work with both markets to promote the town.”

The crowds told their own story. Even the parish church had opened its doors to provide refreshments for weary shoppers.

Malcolm Dearmer, who accompanied Mr Davison to the ceremony, declared that they still couldn’t believe it.

“It was a wonderful night for us both at the award ceremony, and it’s a wonderful feeling,” he said.

At the end of the ceremony they were congratulated by the runners-up.

“The mayor of one of the finalists came over to congratulate us,” said Mr Davison.

“He asked me what our secret was. I said if I could bottle it I would sell it, but mainly it was the diversity of the stalls, local support and a fantastic parish council.”

“I am also on our parish council,” replied the mayor.

“I looked at him,” said Mr Davison, “picked up my award, and said, ‘Then you’d better go home and sharpen your pencil’.”

The award is now in pride of place on Mr Davison’s plant stall for all to admire.

It is a large, brass bell, engraved with details of the award.

“We did it for the people of Stokesley, who make it so special, he said.”

The next Stokesley Farmers’ Market is on Saturday, April 5.