I WOULD like to kick off this week with a bit of an apology to our dear regular customers for the unprecedented amount of absenteeism that has been a feature of the markets in June.

I have never known anything like it before.

The frustrating thing is that there isn’t even a general reason for it.

There have just been lots of personal things happening for a host of our usual stallholders, all at the same time.

In the same vein I have to announce that Norman ‘the bee’ Davis and his wife Sue, who have been at the market every two weeks since 2003, are retiring from the market.

We would like to extend our thanks to both of them for years of providing us with fabulous honey and wish them all the best for the future.

This leaves an opportunity for any local beekeepers who would like to sell honey at the market.

We would be happy to talk to any local producers, however small they may be, about taking a space to sell their honey, even if they wanted a one off stall to sell small amounts.

With the heatwave forecast, why not fire up your barbecue with some local charcoal from Day’s Cottage in Brookthorpe?

The charcoal comes in handy, easily portable bags and is a delight to cook on as well as being truly local and sustainable.

Day’s Cottage legendary perry is also on a special offer to help the barbecue go with a swing (I can personally vouch for that swing!).

Look out for spicy handmade gourmet sausages (and an array of other flavours), marinated Moroccan lamb kebabs and barbecue marinated spare ribs at Hinton Marsh Farm and juicy organic lamb and beef burgers, organic pork chops and organic steaks over at Adey’s Farm.

Don’t worry vegetarians, the vegetable selection is as wonderful as ever and if you’re going to a barbie then the Veggie Deli will be on hand with vegetarian chorizo.

Let’s pray for sunshine.

lHave you got any tips for barbecuing tasty and delicious food this summer?

Share your recipes and ideas at stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk