Whilst the weather may be barmey, it is time to take advantage and enjoy the last picnic or BBQ of the year. We have put together a selection of our finest foods available from both markets to make this late summer weekend even more enjoyable! A quick trip round Horsham Markets on Saturday could land you all you need for easy late summer food;

From the Bishopric Market;

• Selection of ribs and chicken breasts from both butchers.
• A fabulous South African Boerewors (and even some Biltong to keep you going)
• Some crusty buns to wrap the above
• Crunchy salad leaves, fresh tomatoes and some spring onions
• A delicious drizzle of olive oil from the specialist European stall 

From the Carfax Market

• Freshly caught prawns or even a cooked crab
• A range of sausages produced here in Horsham
• Locally grown sweetcorn for the coals
• Home baked quiche or sausage rolls
• Free range, really fresh eggs - hard-boiled or, go further, egg mayonnaise
• Artisan bread like you would never get in any shop - delicious
• A large chunk of Sussex cheese for your ploughmans
• A tub of olives and homemade chutney, to accompany
• Finish it off with scones and homemade jam, cake and some chocolates

NOW SIMPLY ENJOY IN THE SUN !

We need your feedback.  Please just take a few moments to take this SURVEY and we'll put you in the draw to win a full Horsham Bag for Life of Goodies from our markets.

The results so far have been very interesting and we are more than half way towards our target number of participants. We have already discovered that many of you make very regular visits to the markets - over 70%. Whilst the Carfax remains the most popular market, many of you also visit the Bishopric market although it appears many have yet to discover that joys of the Thursday market down there.

So, if you have not already done so, take the SURVEY and ask your friends and family to do so.

Good Luck !

Horsham Markets has gone live with a fantastic new website, www.horshammarkets.co.uk. It is an easy way to find out what's going on in Horsham's bustling markets - the Carfax Local Produce Market and the General Market in the Bishopric, with great pictures - many from local photographer Toby Phillips.

There will be regular market recipes with ingredients sourced from the Local Produce Market, focus features on the traders and plenty of news from the markets and the town. For anyone considering joining the markets, there's even an easy online application.

PJ Aldred of Horsham Markets says "we are very pleased to have now launched the site, we hope our customers and traders will visit the website as much as they visit the markets! It is always important to us to work with with reputable local companies and BritWeb have done a grand job for us."

www.horshammarkets.co.uk

The Town at it's Best!

On Saturday, over 30 local producers packed into the Carfax - from Sussex cheeses, lamb, cakes, fresh fish, artisan bread through to local beers and ciders. Live Cookery Theatre showcased the best chefs in the area. Thousands flocked to the town centre to enjoy the taste and spectacle. This was a fabulous start to the month-long Festival of Food and Drink in the District.

On Sunday, many enjoyed free tastings from restaurants, pubs and specialist stalls in the Nibble Trail. This was the first year for the Trail and we were thrilled to see a queue waiting patiently in the rain, clutching their County Times vouchers. As we were over-subscribed, this is certainly one that will grow in the future. In addition to this, Horsham hosted the  Festival of Sound with stages all around the town centre, there were free historic bus rides and even a classic car rally.

Horsham Markets were thrilled to work alongside Horsham District Council's events team, the Sussex Food Network, Festival of Sound and everyone else who helped turn Horsham into such a fantastic local food and live music haven for the weekend. Well done also to David from our own Bangers Galore and Anthony from Deli-Welli-Doo-Daaa who did us all proud at the live cookery kitchen!

You could win up to £20 worth of goodies from the markets...

Just take a couple of moments to complete our survey and a lucky contributor will be picked to win goodies from the market. YOUR FEEDBACK IS IMPORTANT

<a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5775W3K">Click here to take survey</a>

Well, they beat us by just one point at Pentanque but we think we got the edge over our french friends with the market - fabulous, reasonable fresh local produce as ever!

And...they were evenenvious of our lovely new stalls, even inviting us to France sometime.

Well done to the Boules team - especially Ash, Chris and Sylvie (the latter were NOT ringers really). Unfortunatley Lindsey, Lance and Pj were not so skillful - but watch out for the pole dancing...?!

...we are up for the challenge!

The local produce market held in the Carfax every Saturday has kindly given up their usual home for the French this weekend. However, in true English style, they won't be far away - moving into East Street on Friday and Saturday and have they laid down the gauntlet to the French market.

Proud of their English fayre, the traders know they can give their friends from over the Channel a real run for their money when it comes to quality, fresh produce and local goods. With a fabulous choice of fresh bread, fish, veg and even cheese on Saturday, the market will be flying the English flag along the whole length of East Street and into Market Square with many crafts and arts also. On Friday, East Street will host the crème de la crème of the market with plants, flowers, beautiful jewellery, delicious quiches, cakes, interesting arts and crafts with even Horsham's very own chocolatier.

And, to top it all, the English traders are challenging the French at their own game of Boules. The traditional game between the two markets will take place in Market Square on Friday evening. Market Manager Pj Aldred says "this Friday and Saturday will be a great opportunity for our traders to show off what they do best but I have to admit we're not overly confident we will win the Boules!"

Free Thursdays - throughout July & August

The Bishopric Market is held around the iconic Shelly Fountain every Thursday and Saturday, with the week day market beginning to expand. Come along on Thursdays during July and August and you could pick some freebies. Every hour, one of the stallholders will giving away something for nothing, yes - NOTHING!

Get your special card from the Information Stall on the market or use the coupon in The Resident and be the first to find the trader that has a freebie in that hour. With anything from fresh strawberries, a plant, box of choccies or even a unique record clock - it could be quite a treasure hunt.

Now the Carfax Local Produce Market can offer even more glorious food...

Fresh fish, eggs, olive, oils, jams, chutneys, sausages, handmade chocolates, bread, cakes, sauces, vinegars and from this Saturday LOCAL FRUIT & VEG until 5pm !

The morning produce is by Panino's tables and chairs and the ALL DAY produce is between Natwest Bank and Swan Walk.

Since bringing the General Market together in the Bishopric, the market continues to expand with new stall holders joining every week such as Calico Jax. The boys offer a great engraving service on pretty much anything from pint glasses through to wallets, purses and wooden plaques. Come and see their range and have a chat to the guys about what you want done.

The Local Produce Market on the Carfax is also seeing it's fair share of new additions - tomorrow see's Cheezerie back and trading throughout the day and joined by a Taste of the Weald ensuring the cheese offer is wide and varied together with all the other local producers and artisans.

Oh, and please tell us what you think of the facelift that is now well underway !