Stroud: best food market and second greatest town

Stroud Farmers Market was the winner in the BBC Food and Drink Awards on Thursday night - see here. Well done to Clare Gerbrands, the producers and all who have made it possible.

Photo: Buskers at market

However Stroud was pipped to the post in the race to be named Britain's greatest town - see here my previous post. The town was one of three finalists in The Great Town Awards, alongside Westport in Ireland and Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire. We are very fortunate to live in such a great place full of so many creative, unique and enterprising people!

Here's how The Citizen reported it:

"...after narrowly losing the award to Hebden Bridge, community leaders say being nominated gave the town the recognition it deserves.Mayor Andy Read said: "The judges weren't looking for chocolate box perfection but places where all sections of the community are getting involved to make their town a better place to work, rest and play."

Chamber of Commerce and Trade chairwoman Carole Garfield added: "This award has offered us a fantastic opportunity to discover what other pioneering towns have been doing to regenerate themselves and there are many great ideas that we are keen to try out in Stroud.""