August Farmers’ Markets and Great Taste Award Winners

We started off last month’s email with, “Phew, wasn’t June a scorcher”. Carrying on the trend, phew, hasn’t July been a scorcher?. We hope you are all keeping well and finding ways to cope with the heat.

As you can imagine, this weather is particularly challenging for our farmers. Read Luke’s chairman’s update below for what life on the farm in July has meant for him.

Some fantastic news to share: not one, but two of our regular producers have just won Great Taste 2026 Awards. See below for who they are.

This month, there will be plenty of fresh, summer produce available. Thankfully, the weather is looking very pleasant and more bearable for Saturday’s market in Haslemere. We look forward to seeing you at one of our markets in August. And as always, thank you for supporting our small, local producers.

Haslemere Farmers’ Market

• Date: Saturday, 1st August
• Time: 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM
• Location: High Street, Haslemere
• Producers in Attendance: Click Here

Milford Farmers’ Market

• Date: Sunday, 16th August
• Time: 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM
• Location: Secretts Farm Shop, Milford
• Producers in Attendance: Click Here

Southsea Farmers’ Market

• Date: Sunday, 16th August
• Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Location: Palmerston Road, Southsea
• Producers in Attendance: Click Here

August Markets

Here are the August dates for your diary:

• Haslemere, Saturday 5th September
• Milford, Sunday, 20th September
• Southsea, Sunday, 20th September

Chairmans Note

What a month we have had, record temperatures, hosepipe bans and fields that are golden when they should be green. Like other primary producers, we are struggling now. Everyday is a relentless cycle of keeping animals hydrated, fed and wallows full to the brim for the pigs. The sheep are munching through the winter hay like wooly locusts.

Farming at the moment is honestly exhausting and expensive and the sums just don’t balance, a picture repeating across the UK. However, despite the temperatures and lack of rain, I am thankful that we got through that wet and never ending winter and I promised that I would find something to be positive about everyday.

We’ve been uplifted with the July lambs and litters of piglets who are a joy to watch as they go about their business. Whilst on the topic of babies, Grace and Tom from Frensham Market Garden have welcomed their daughter last month so congratulations to them both too!

There are more reasons to celebrate as two of our traders have received accolades from the Great Taste Awards with Richard from Butler Country Estates receiving a coveted three stars and Rob from Hiltons Charcuterie gaining two stars. Massive congratulations to you both, your produce deserves the recognition!

As we bask in August, look after yourselves and think about the wildlife in your area. If you can, pop water out for the various species that visit your gardens, some might also appreciate supplementary food. There is some great advice from The Wildlife Trusts and the RSPB online about how we can do this sustainably and safely.

Have a great month, eat well and stay hydrated!

Enjoy July

Luke
SWSFM Chairman, Owner, The Hairy Pig Company

Congratulations to Great Taste Winners

We are delighted to share the news that two of our regular producers have won prestigious Great Taste Awards. Butler Country Estates have won the epitome of awards, a 3-Star award for their Hampshire Smoked Trout Fillets. And Hiltons Chacuterie have won a 2-Star award for their Spanish style Cecina. Big congratulations to your both. You can find Butler Country Estates at all three markets in August, and Hiltons will be at Milford.