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EATING IN EYNSHAM

« The quality of Eynsham produce goes back to the Abbey Fishponds and lives on in the Allotments and the Village Show. Why go further? Our food suppliers range from a deli to an organic veg stall and our Country Market is worth a special visit. Take a break afterwards in a local cafe. See also access and parking; opening times; recipes; seasonal specials; Sophie's Choice; school meals in style

BELOW: intro & pix from Helen Peacocke; features for COUNTRY MARKET and CORNUCOPIA

SPOILED FOR CHOICE

Few living out their childhood in Eynsham directly after the war, when sweets and meat were rationed, will forget the joy of collecting a loaf from Biggers the bakers, in the very centre of the village.Those warm crusty loaves were unforgettable and seldom arrived home without at least one crust missing. Sometimes two. The longer the journey the smaller the loaf that reached the kitchen table.

Sadly Biggers closed down some years ago. That aroma of freshly baked bread no longer permeates the streets that lead to the village square. We can buy some really tasty bread from our well-stocked deli Cornucopia, but of course it is not baked on the premises.

Then there was the small general grocers shop next to the Chemist, and later in Old Witney Road, run by David and Peggy Knight who would go out of their way to stock all we needed. In their crowded little shop the potatoes were weighed on a pair of red scales with brass weights. That comforting thud of potatoes being tipped from the brass bowl into the shopping basket still lingers in the memory.

But times change. Most of us buy our potatoes in plastic bags now, from the Spar or the Co-op, though we can find excellent local produce on the organic fruit and vegetable stall outside The Emporium every Saturday morning.

The weekly Country Market has a superb selection of locally grown fruits and vegetables too. They also uphold the village tradition of home baking. No one could ask for a better selection of home- baked goods, including a fine selection of savoury dishes.

The village is also lucky to have a fine butcher's shop run by Richard Golsby, who goes out of his way to source local meat where ever possible. You can order a certain cut here and have it prepared just as you like it. Standing in the butcher's queue on a Saturday morning is rather like being a member of a very friendly club where everyone knows everyone.

EATING OUT; FAST FOOD

The village also boasts an Italian restaurant in Newland Street and a superb Indian & Bangladeshi restaurant in Lombard Street, where customers are made to feel at home immediately. There's a Chinese take away too, a fish & chip shop and several sandwich outlets.

As most of the pubs sell food now, and freshly cooked meals feature on the deli menu - eating out, or buying prepared food to take home, is easy. We are almost spoiled for choice, particularly as the Co-op stocks Fairtrade goods and now goes out of its way to embrace changing food trends and stock items once found only in Oxford. And if you fancy relaxing with one of the tastiest cups of coffee this side of London, while munching a slice of home made cake, The Emporium serves that too.

Helen Peacocke; see also Helen's Garden

COUNTRY MARKET - more here

COME TO St Leonard's Church Hall in Eynsham any Thursday morning from February to December between 9 and 10.30 and you will find our flourishing Country Market, supported by more than 40 suppliers. There is a staggering display of seasonal homemade produce - cakes, breads, tarts, savouries, cookies, local eggs, honey, jams and chutneys - for supper, the freezer, vegetarians. Even in winter days we sell locally grown parsnips, lettuce, leeks, cabbage, apples and potatoes. In season we have cut flowers: daffodils, lilac, chrysanthemums, gladioli or mixed posies. In spring and summer our gardeners have herbaceous and vegetable seedlings ready for planting out. The crafts are represented too, in greeting cards, needlework and wood - our latest member makes plant troughs and walking sticks.

The queue at opening time is famous across the village, cheerful in any weather. The bulk of perishable produce is often sold within 15 minutes but there is still coffee and biscuits (an affordable 25p) and every month free ‘tastings’. Customers unable to get out early will find their requests waiting on the Orders table. We can also supply gift hampers and use the network of Country Markets throughout the country to meet orders beyond our reach.

In common with Country Markets across the country (now fully independent of the Women's Institute), each new supplier buys a 5p share. A bargain when the cheque appears at the end of the month (less 10% for overheads). Every country market cook must have a current Food Hygiene Certificate to protect the customers. Because our cooking areas are liable to official inspection, ours are not kitchens where the dog’s brush rests on the chopping board! In addition, all our ingredients are traceable; produce is dated for day of sale; and allergy contents (e.g. nuts) are highlighted. Packaging too is carefully regulated and while the regulations may seem a lot at first they are soon absorbed into the weekly routine.

The market is vital to the community. Here, co-operatively, we keep alive the skills of home cooking, particularly seasonal foods, apple & blackberry pies in the autumn and mincepies at Christmas; of craftwork (handknitted jerseys in the Eynsham Cricket Club livery for instance), plants grown in the local soil, honey and eggs from bees and hens that have buzzed and pecked about in OX29. We are always interested in encouraging new producers to join us. Where else could a retired person, or one tied to home with young children, find a useful outlet for time and talents and augment an income or allowance into the bargain?

Visit us if you can. Better still, join us! Contact Market Controller Sue Butler-Miles on 01865 880928 or email .

Jennifer Harland; see also Food for Thought

CORNUCOPIA is a deli with a difference, run by long-term residents Sandy and Nick. It offers high quality ingredients, from local suppliers and producers who are conscious of food miles, along with fresh, home cooked food.

The DELI stocks a fantastic range of cheeses (many British, a few local), olives marinated in store, salami, honey roast ham prepared in store and many other products (below).

The KITCHEN produces fantastic food using seasonal ingredients and varied to cater for people with special diets.

Cornucopia also provides food for parties, picnics and gift hampers: call in, phone or visit the website.

EYNSHAM ONLINE is an Eynsham Parish Council initiative.
Email comment/queries to eynsham-online@hotmail.co.uk

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