New monthly Ashfield market is worldly

The market will be hosted in Ashfield biggest towns, Sutton, Kirkby and Hucknall.

The venture by Bucks Leap Events, in partnership with Ashfield District Council, will be holding monthly food markets across the summer, promoting food from counties like Brazil, Spain, Belgium and local produce.

Rokia Brown, 48, of Lyndale Drive, Codnor, who formed the event company said she is “trying to create a vibrant atmosphere” in the towns.

She said: “I am very positive about regenerating mining communities, I think they get neglected.

“I first encountered a world food market on a trip to Bristol and thought it was wonderful.

“Having organised events at Codnor Castle in Derbyshire I decided to organise world food markets in communities that are in need of regeneration and rural locations where social mobility and infrastructure is lacking, to help breathe life into them once more. Try something new, try something which might be a favourite from holiday there will also be traditional favourites as well.

“In the future, I hope it will create more employment and bring people into the towns.”

On the first Sunday in the month the markets will be on the pedestrianised area in Hucknall, the second Saturday of the month in Sutton and the third Friday in the month in Kirkby.

The next market in Sutton will be on Saturday, June 9, and Kirkby will be on Friday, June 15.

The council approached Rokia after a market she was hoping to host in Selston was turned down because of highway problems.

She said: “I have always been passionate about enhancing communities which are in need of regeneration.

“The support from the council has been brilliant. I get the opportunity for my own business and the council gets help rejuvenating the area.”

Her business has been running from March this year and was named after Codnor Castle land that use to link to Ashfield.

From July there will be a bouncy castle and merry-go-round at the markets.