The Country Market in Bookham started life on 1st October 1976 as Bookham & District Women’s Institute (WI) Country Market.
Country Markets began with the first Women’s Institute (WI) Market in Lewes, Sussex, in December 1919, established to sell surplus home-produced goods and provide women with income opportunities after World War I. The Agricultural Organisation Society, later part of DEFRA, invited the newly-formed WIs to participate in cooperative markets, and the Food Production Department of the Board of Agriculture oversaw operations during the post-war period. By 1932, the markets were formally registered as cooperatives under the Industrial Provident and Friendly Societies Act 1893, standardizing operations and grouping markets into County Societies for administrative purposes.
Growth and Expansion
Throughout the 20th century, Country Markets expanded steadily. By 1992, the combined annual turnover reached £10 million. The markets provided a platform for producers to sell baked goods, preserves, honey, eggs, fruits, vegetables, plants, crafts, and in some cases, meat, fish, and dairy products.
Organisational Changes
In 1995, the markets separated from the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) and became self-financing and self-regulating, forming WI Country Markets (WICM) as the new sponsoring body. In 2004, WICM was renamed Country Markets Ltd, based in Chesterfield, which now serves as the central organization overseeing all Country Markets in England, Wales, and the Channel Islands. It ensures that all products sold are of the highest quality and satisfy all legislation requirements.
Today, Country Markets Ltd continues to operate as a cooperative social enterprise, promoting local food and crafts. Membership is open to anyone over 16.
Bookham Country Market
Bookham Market is open every Friday morning from 10am until noon in the Old Barn Hall, Church Rd., Bookham, KT23 3PQ. Join us on 2nd October as we celebrate our 50th anniversary.
Our home-made baked goods counter offers a wide selection of sweet and savoury items including, loaf cakes, fruit Teabreads, blondies, brownies, sausage rolls, and many others, and some ready meals.
Our award-winning artisan cheeses, come direct from the dairy, with organic cow, sheep and goat varieties.
The farm fresh, free-range eggs, are ever popular, and a local resident bakes fantastic award-winning breads, fresh each Friday, definitely not to be found in supermarkets. There are jams, marmalades, chutney, local honey and gin distilled from honey.
Garden plants are ever popular, all expertly propagated by local gardeners, many unusual, that you will not find in garden centres. There are qualified garden designers available to advise on which will suite your soil type, and conditions. Edible garden produce is also available in season, but no insecticides!
20 plus skilled crafters produce beautiful products from a wide variety of materials. Finding that special, and unique present or card, is simple.
Having done your shopping, relax in the coffee shop, maybe with friends, and enjoy a Fairtrade coffee or Teapigs tea with some homemade cake or scones, all at extremely reasonable prices
For more information visit bookhammarket.wixsite.com or telephone 07836 646456.
