Oxford and Oxfordshire news, sport and information updated throughout the day

Town's WI market stalls close for good

From the archive, first published Tuesday 3rd Jan 2006.

Women across Bicester hung up their wooden spoons for the last time as the town's 30-year-old Women's Institute market shut its doors for good.

Dozens of people flocked to the last market in the Methodist Church Hall in Sheep Street just before Christmas. Market-goers enjoyed savoury nibbles and cake to mark the closure.

Rising costs and new food regulations forced the weekly market, which was renamed Bicester Country Market nine months ago, to stop trading.

The market was held every Friday, and sold baked produce and crafts.

Chairman Audrey Sapnik, 77, of Nuffield Close, worked at the market for 25 years. She said many of the cooks were reluctant to take the necessary food hygiene exams, and rising rent and overheads meant the market was no longer viable.

She said: "The last market went very well. We had some lovely cards and gifts.

"People were very appreciative but couldn't get to grips with why we were closing. I think people think it's just make a cake and take it to the market -- they don't realise what goes into it.

"We have loved doing it. We have seen the seasons come and go with plants in the summer and woollies in the winter.

"On the very last day we could have sold more stuff -- I don't honestly think we had time to feel sad. But we probably will when we go back in January to clear out the cupboards.

"It will be a loss to Bicester as a whole. As far as I know it's the only place you could get a homemade meat pie, a quiche or a homemade cake."

Many of the women have vowed to keep up the social aspect of the market by meeting for coffee every Friday morning instead.

WI markets were founded during the Second World War, when the Government called on women to help farmers sell their surplus stock. Many WI markets around the county have closed in recent years, including in Woodstock, Burford and Henley.

Archive Home