Hallaton Bottle Kicking Farmers' Market

Hallaton Bottle Kicking Farmers’ Market - Bank Holiday Easter Monday (1st April)

 

The quaint village of Hallaton in the heart of England is not only famed for its picturesque charm and warm community spirit but also for the historic and thrilling tradition of Bottle Kicking. A raucous and ancient game that has been a part of Hallaton's heritage for centuries, Bottle Kicking is an event that captures the essence of English rural festivities. And this year, the tradition is getting an appetising companion—the first ever Hallaton Bottle Kicking Farmers' Market.

 

Bottle Kicking, a custom with roots as old as the hills that cradle the village, is akin to a vigorous blend of rugby and football, but with a wooden 'bottle' that's no ordinary ball. Its origins are shrouded in the mists of time, with whispers of it being a way to settle ancient land disputes or a ritual to encourage the fertility of the fields. It's a rite of spring, a test of village mettle, and above all, a thread in the fabric of Hallaton's identity.

 

As the Bottle Kicking brings the past alive with its thunderous cheers and friendly rivalry, the Hallaton Bottle Kicking Farmers' Market aims to nourish both body and spirit. From 10 am to 2 pm, nestled within the embrace of the North End green, as the energy builds for the forthcoming game's excitement, the market will bring together the finest local producers.

 

The market will be a haven for pie enthusiasts, with an array of flaky pastries cradling savoury fillings, each a testament to the time-honoured skills of Brocklebys, local bakers. Cheese will stand proudly, from the tangy to the creamy, each bite a narrative of pastoral care and age-old cheese-making lore. And what's a market without the heartening aroma of coffee? Local roasters Azorieblue will be on hand to pour cups of joy, ensuring that every visitor's spirits are as high as the caffeine content.  For those with a penchant for the unique, the Scotch Eggs will be a revelation—hand-crafted with love and the best ingredients, they are perfect snapshots of the market's ethos. Jams and conserves will glint like jewels, with fruits transformed by sugar and time into spreads that tell of harvests and hedgerows, there will hand-made cakes and sweets provided by Debbie Campbell Cakes. And let’s not forget the olives, a nod to the cosmopolitan taste that the village embraces, ensuring there's something for every palate.  Organic meat and hot sustenance will be provided by Pick’s Organic Farm so there is everything you will need for an afternoon of excitement.

 

The Hallaton Bottle Kicking Farmers' Market is not just a market; it is a celebration of the land, its produce, and its people. It's where heritage meets harvest, where every transaction is a handshake between neighbours, and every product is a piece of the village's story. So mark your calendars for a day of tradition, taste, and community spirit. Join us to make history with the first-ever farmers' market in Hallaton, where the past is honoured, the present is savoured, and the future is as bright as the springtime sun.