West Oxfordshire’s largest covered Christmas Market!
The tiny village of Ramsden is the surprising venue for what must now be the biggest covered Christmas Market in West Oxfordshire. No need to shiver in the wind and rain, as the entire Market is held under cover in the beautifully decorated big barn at Lower Farm.
Since the Market moved to Lower Farm, it has grown beyond all expectations. Seven years ago there were 12 stalls. This year, with the addition of extra space, the organisers plan to have at least 50 selling crafts, artisan food, hand-made clothing and gifts, books, wreaths, Christmas decorations and a host of other goodies.
One of the organisers, Jude Douglass, said: “we have always had a policy of seeking out stallholders who sell unusual, unique, hand-made or Fair Trade goods. Shoppers always know they will find something different at Ramsden.”
Shoppers also love the atmosphere at Ramsden. After buying their gifts, they can enjoy lunch or afternoon tea right in the middle of the Market to the accompaniment of handbell-ringing, carol-singing or a jazz band. This year there will be more food than ever and parents can grab a glass of mulled wine to sustain them in the queue for Father Christmas.
Stallholders say (and they should know!) that it is the friendliest Market around and that there is always a great buzz of chatter and laughter. Bill Miller, who masterminds the set-up of the Market said: “the social aspect is very important. The Market is a vital fund-raiser for the village but it has also got to be fun – for us as well as the shoppers”.
The 2017 Market is on Saturday, 2nd December, from 1pm to 4pm at Lower Farm, Ramsden, OX7 3AZ. Ramsden is 4 miles north of Witney just off the B4022 road to Charlbury and Chipping Norton .
Visit the Ramsden Events facebook page for regular updates.
http://www.cotswolds.info/cotswold-events.shtml.