Chocolate chip cookies

So another in the recipe series, don't forget there are always some lovely cakes, cookies and biscuits for sale on the market, and you can always pass them off as made by yourself once unwrapped :). Nice easy recipe although it said that it should make 36 but I think that would be far too small!  so I made 18 from the recipe.

Set your oven at 190c/350f/ gas mark 5

Weigh out
175g/6oz Plain Flour
pinch of salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp bicarb soda
75g/3oz butter or marg

...rub together to form fine crumbs

stir in
50g/2oz soft light brown sugar
125g/4oz choc chips - I just chop up bars of chocolate, it doesn't take long and much cheaper, and have used a mix of plain and milk - the choice is yours

3 tbspn of golden syrup (I make this just over 3 ozs)

This should now bind together to form a soft dough.

Divide into balls and flatten slightly.

Pop in the oven for 12 - 15 minutes

Soft fruit

Over the summer months we have soft fruit, starting with gooseberries this week, thenwe will have redcurrant and blackcurrant, raspberries and plums and greengages.  Each have a short season, but are a real treat and are so local and fresh you really must get down to the market to get some.  Shop local :)

I will post on Facebook and twitter when they are coming in.

For a simple idea for a pudding, serve up on a meringue nest served with icecream or yoghurt, or even cream.  Or crush the meringue nest and stir in fruit with yoghurt or cream.

The gooseberries will need cooking with some sugar first depending how sweet you like things,  the other fruit can be served as they come, or the currants you may prefer to add sugar.  Elderflower cordial is a perfect partner for gooseberries, and it is so simple to make, the elderflowers are out at the moment, and there are plenty in the hedgerows :)

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/531660/homemade-elderflower-cordial

here are couple of sites that will aid you identify it:

http://www.britishlarder.co.uk/elderflower-cordial

http://www.discoverwildlife.com/blog/new-series-how-find-wild-food-part-1-elderflower

Handmade cards - Summer

There are generally a basket of cards on Ampthill Country Market stall every Thursday


An occasion in the summer, means that a summer themed card will fit the bill perfectly.  Or maybe someone that lives by the sea.  We have greetings cards that have both these theme covered, and here are a few that might appeal.

Most of them are stamped and then watercoloured, they are all blank inside, but often have a greeting on the outside.  

If you like one of the cards and need a greeting changed this is often possible just contact us either on the stall or through the website, and it can be arranged.  Here are few examples of cards, we cannot guarantee that they will be available, but there should always be some similar.

Sharpenhoe Clappers

The Sharpenhoe Clappers is a short drive from Ampthill, and run by the National Trust.  There is a reasonable size free car park, and there are a lot of footpaths around there, not just on the Clappers.



Go when the day is really clear and you will be able to see for miles, if you have binoculars take them and see how far you can see, kids just love looking through them.


It is chalky like the rest of the Chiltern hills, apparently formed from fish bones. The ice age stopped to form the 'cliff' of the clappers. 







The woods are a great place to explore, but are steep in places.

There are a few benches dotted about, and a big grassed area, that you can sit on for a picnic if you take a blanket.  There is a footpath to the woods that you can wheel a buggy, and then explore the rest of the place on foot.  There are no toilets at the site.






NT says:
"Reputedly haunted, Sharpenhoe Clappers is a classic chalk escarpment and part of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is crowned with traces of an Iron Age hill-fort and an impressive beech wood."




There are a few walks in the area, here is one that I have found, that has lots of useful information:
Walk like the Clappers

Note that the pub in Sharpenhoe has closed down.

Country Matters in Hexton is a short drive away, and they have tea rooms, toilet and local products for sale. (SG5 3JD Hexton)
facebook page
and there is also a pub right opposite.

Country Markets history

The Country Markets organisation has roots going back to 1919, when the Agricultural Organisation Society (now DEFRA) sponsored the setting up of co-operative markets to sell surplus produce.  The first markets were Women's Institute (WI) markets and continued under this name until 2004, when it was decided set up the markets as a standalone concern.

The very first market was in Lewes East Sussex on 14th December 1919, and was a collaborative of several local WIs.  Initially it was for selling the produce of members of the local branches of the Women's Institutes, but soon it expanded to others - small holders, cottagers, ex-service men.  At its height, the market was selling produce from members of 23 different WIs.   Anyone could become a shareholder, small holders, cottagers, ex-service men, etc, and it has remained the same, costing 5p to join.

There are currently over three hundred Country Markets throughout England, Wales and the Channel Islands.  Country Markets baking and preserves can now also be found in a small but increasing number of local community shops and similar outlets.

Country Markets Ltd and all the Country Market Societies are co-operative social enterprises, registered as Industrial & Provident Societies with the Financial Services Authority.  The organisation as a whole has an annual turnover of around £10 million.

In 1932 (National Federation of WI) NFWI decided to expand marketing activity and held a conference on February 4th at Caxton Hall, London. The prime objective of the conference was to investigate possible methods for marketing foodstuffs which are were being wasted when member's gardens are glutted with produce for which no means of marketing exists.  It was attended by 183 representatives from 47 counties.

By the end of 1932 nine counties had set up registered County Marketing Societies.  Individual markets were registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act.

In 1990 NFWI became a Charitable Company limited by Guarantee.  As a result the Charity Commission and the NFWI legal advisers suggested a more 'arms length' relationship.  By 1992 the annual turnover of country Markets was £10million but NFWI was a 'not for profit' organisation.

Finally in 1995 Markets separated from NFWI, adopting a new name 'WI Country Markets Ltd'. It moved into separate offices and became self financing. In 2004 the use of the WI initials was discontinued.
- See more at: The WI

Ampthill Market started in November 1973, and so celebrated its 40th birthday last year. 

And here is another did you know..... some allotment societies will not allow their members to sell their excess produce and there is some interesting reading here: selling allotment produce and also here www.ruleworks.co.uk which gives clarification.

Ampthill Open Gardens

For the last 4 years there has been an Ampthill Open Gardens event, and this year there is a another planned for Sunday 29 June 2014.

Each time there has been around 12 gardens open throughout the town, they have been in clusters, and with the exception of a couple you could walk to them all.  

Although some have driven between the clusters, and some have biked, but I have walked.

The gardens are varied, big, small, loads of planting, a mix of veg and plants, and even chickens, just something for everyone.  So far the weather has been good every year - so I am sure it will be good this year!











There is normally at least one garden that has refreshments including cakes, check on the map before you start your tour so that you get there at the right time.

I think the last few times there has been a couple.

Here is a random selection of some of the gardens that have been on show over the last few years.

more info on this link:
Open Gardens

So mark the date in your diary, well worth going.

Handknitted Baby Cardigans

We have a small selection of handknitted cardigans and jumpers for babies, they are mainly for age up to one year.  Our knitter isn't a fast knitter and is unable to take orders, but enjoys knitting little things, they would make a lovely gift that is unique, not just off the High Street shelves.

Cute short bolero, will fit for a while :)

Pop by the stall and see what is on offer there is often some cute hats as well, send a message if you are interested and we can make sure that there will be some knitting there.

This one has recently sold, it was a pretty pink and thought it was worth sharing, as it may be made again!