A new monthly market based at Haltwhistle Station has already began to support local businesses in the Tyne Valley area.
The idea for the event came from the Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership (CRP), who approached train operator Northern with their proposal to use the spacious forecourt area between the Old Booking Hall and the Water Tower at Haltwhistle Station for events and markets.
The first market was held on Sunday 16 March with a range of crafts and gifts on offer, as well as locally produced food including beer, honey, cakes and savouries.
Ruth Murray of Haltwhistle Makers Market dealt with pre-event enquiries, publicity and the stallholder bookings, and on the day members of Tyne Valley CRP and the station adoption team helped with set up on the day.
As well as supporting small businesses, the partnership is passionate about supporting local charities, by offering the use of a stall, free of charge, to a different charity on each different date. The first charity that took advantage of the offer was Jessica’s Sarcoma Awareness, a local charity helping children and teenagers through cancer.
One of the business owners who took part in the first market was Katy, owner of Wilde Bakes based in Haltwhistle, who also supplies some her products to the Water Tower Cafe at the station.
Katy said: “It is wonderful to have a local market where I can sell my cakes and traybakes, and I am happy that everything sold out within 90 minutes.”
Julie Gibbon, one of Tyne Valley CRP’s volunteer directors, said: “We have had some very positive feedback from the stallholders and from people attending the market. These included “It is lovely to see a market back in Haltwhistle again”; “The station is a great venue for a market. It’s somewhere to go on a Sunday morning”; and “It’s been really good, I will definitely be back for the next one”.”
The next market will be held at 10am on Easter Sunday, 21 April, and thereafter on the third Sunday of each month, with the final event of 2025 in October.
Learn more about Northern’s work in the community here.
Keep up to date with future news, projects and events from the Tyne Valley CRP via their website.
