It was nice to see Ross-on-Wye Town Centre busy on Friday as an Italian food market brought a real taste of Italy to the market place, a vibrant atmosphere and some of the more exotic aromas and flavours of Italy. The town centre was busy for the occasion right from the very start and, according to one of the Italian traders, people were visiting the stalls before they had even finished setting up.

Many Ross traders welcomed the market and the Association of Ross Traders (A.R.T.) joined in by promoting the Herefordshire Council event and organizing their own Italian wine and food tasting sessions prior to and on the day. Local author, Lindsey Wildsmith helped to get people into the Italian spirit by holding a cookery demonstration at the market house, part of which can be seen in the film below.

This event really was what being a 'Market Town' is all about. A well arranged and established regular market can attract coach loads of visitors, from miles around, who would also spend money in local shops and cafés.