THE early season of strawberries, when they are being grown in heated tunnels, is coming to an end and so the availability is set to increase dramatically with Coleshill bringing organic fruit and Over Farm’s season just beginning too so hopefully there will be strawberries for everyone this week (and the prices will drop!).

I’m not sure we really give English strawberries the credit they deserve in terms of their importance to our health and the availability of English fruit.

The season for local strawberries is actually longer than the apple season, with skilful use of the many varieties of the fruit plants meaning it is possible to have the season extending from late April right through to early October, that’s nearly six months!

On top of this are the many health benefits from eating them; from high Vitamin C and K to anti-inflammatory properties and anti-oxidants these little delights can benefit you on the inside while the wonderful sweet taste makes you smile on the outside.

I’m sure by now regulars will have seen the Cymbal Knits stall at the market over last year or so, selling socks and other knitted items.

This Saturday Anne will be bringing along one of her Victorian sock knitting machines for people to have a go on and to advertise her sock knitting workshops.

The wool-mix socks Anne makes are fabulous; colourful, warm and, if washed correctly, will last for absolutely years so knitting your own pair would be a real treat!

It is a well-known fact that the pork you buy at the farmers’ market is from animals that are well treated but that is not the case with the vast majority of the pork bought through other outlets in the UK.

#TurnYourNoseUp is a new campaign that highlights the horrors of factory farmed pigs and the serious consequences to our health, never mind the miserable existence of the pigs reared in these terrible conditions.

If you want to add your voice to the campaign follow the hashtag above.