Hexham: Andrew Whitley, the author of ‘Bread Matters’, whose wood-burning oven in Melmerby produced many a fine loaf, will be at Hexham Farmers Market on Saturday 8th May to celebrate National Bread Maker Week.

Andrew thinks that changes in the way bread is produced have compromised its integrity. He is one of the founders of the national Real Bread Campaign which aims to bring bread back to life.

Simply Kneaded, has taken on the baton which was handed on by Jo of Jo’s Home Baked Bread, with the aim of baking the highest quality Real Bread, using locally grown, locally milled organic flours whenever possible. Louise, owner of Simply Kneaded, invited Andrew and was thrilled when he agreed to give a talk about Real Bread at the Market.

Saltburn: Early-bird shoppers at Saltburn’s bustling Farmers Market look set to be real winners – with £100 worth of brand new currency ‘Salties’ up for grabs at their biggest market yet. £100 worth of Salties will be given away by two of the markets’ award-winning stallholders - which can then be spent at any stall at the market throughout the rest of the day. The first 20 people spending £5 or more with award winning stall holders Real Meals or Dark Star will be given £5 worth of Salties each.

Landscape designer Jenny Gaunt is the Market’s latest prize-winning stallholder – grabbing a prestigious Gold Award after being singled out for special praise amongst hundreds of growers at the Harrogate Flower Show last week (Thurs 22 April).

Based in Osmotherly, near Northallerton, Jenny specialises in dark-flowering foliage and is a regular stallholder at some of the busiest markets throughout North Yorkshire.

Jenny said: “It felt great to win a Gold Award at Harrogate, but Saltburn is still pretty much my favourite market. There’s a real buzz about the place and always a fantastic atmosphere. And the Salties are a great idea. It all helps to keep the feelgood factor going, and I’m really looking forward to another busy day.”