Glenamaddy's local enterprise a shining light at new community market

By JACQUELINE HOGGE COMMUNITY endeavour is delivering weekly treats in Glenamaddy with a host of local producers supplying the town's new country market with a variety of foods and crafts Launched just over a month ago, the market is based at the Glenamaddy Community Development Company's premises in Ballyhard, on the main Roscommon Road. A group of 12 suppliers have already built up a steady customer base with an impressive range of home baking, handmade crafts, paintings, fresh vegetables, honey and eggs.[private] Kate Flynn is one of the board members who originally came up with the idea of introducing a market to the town and surrounding area. 'We have been amazed at how many people have come out of the woodwork since we first put the feelers out to see if there was any interest in having a market,' she said. 'So once we knew the demand was there, both from local producers and the public in general, we worked with GCDC who have given us tremendous support, without which it wouldn't be possible to do this.' Of the 12 regular stallholders, two are French and four are English, all of whom have been living in the area for some time. 'We are so lucky with the standard of produce being sold here, we have French pastries and breads, patés, soups and salsas, handmade cards and beautiful children's clothes,' added Kate. 'There's been a fantastic atmosphere here since our very first market and we're seeing new faces every week, as well as welcoming back people who have been with us from day one.' Den Smallman, who with his wife Ruth has two tables at the market, said it was just what a town like Glenamaddy needed. The trained chef sells a range of deli products from homemade soups to pates, while Ruth makes handmade gifts ranging from children's pillows to Christmas decorations. 'We came back from England seven years ago and never knew the range of talent around us. People don't realise the local produce that is available on their own doorstep and it's only by coming together in a community market such as this that you get people to realise the amazing quality of food and crafts they have in their own area.' Anita Bruneteau is originally from La Rochelle in south west France but has been living in Glenamaddy for over 20 years. She sells a variety of French pastries from delicate pear and almond tarts to the more classic cheesecake and éclair and says the reaction from customers to her Les Deux Arbres (The Two Trees) range so far has been very encouraging. 'I have been in the restaurant business for over 20 years but this is the first time I have done baking in this regard, making individual cakes and pastries, that seem to be very popular,' she said. Janette Slattery, GCDC manager, said the market has exceeded everyone's expectations and that plans are being developed to hold a major Christmas market on Saturday, December 8. 'The idea for a market came about from the Men's Shed project we run here where the participants grow their own vegetables and we wanted a way of selling their produce,' she said. 'The market idea grew from that and we're delighted that the group that have come together on this are so enthusiastic and so dedicated. 'We are perfectly situated here in Ballyhard for the market, and the fact we can cater for it both indoors or outdoors makes it a viable concern all year round. We're hoping to secure marquees to facilitate the Christmas market, where mulled wine and mince pies will be on hand to lend a festive feel for customers.' Kate said that while some people questioned the decision not to locate the market in the town centre, the GCDC's support had been crucial and it's spacious site with parking facilities made perfect sense. 'Glenamaddy is a very large area and we are on the main Roscommon road so we're very accessible, and with the surrounding countryside being so tranquil, it's the perfect location for us,' she said. Other producers selling their wares at the Saturday market include Marie Barlow from Glinsk, whose goose fat, or Crème de l'oie, is proving very popular with customers. 'We've been running our organic farm for several years now and while I don't have poultry at the market I take orders for geese, chickens and bronze turkeys,' she said. 'But a big seller since the beginning is the goose fat, which is known to be a traditional cure, but is also used as a moisturiser.' Philomena Ward has received a great reaction to her handmade cards, invitations and gift boxes, while French baker Jeremy Zanni is also proving a hit with his range of traditional French breads. 'We're really encouraged by the reaction to the market so far and we're hoping to build on our numbers over the coming weeks up to our big Christmas market on December 8, which is a Saturday and has long been the traditional start of the festive shopping season,' added Kate.[/private]