Community
MARKET KNOWLEDGE Benjamin Clark Weller, Twisted Cider
Welcome to The Sherborne Market! What brings you here? The proximity of the market is a big seller and the pitch location we have in Pageant Gardens is great to interact with customers especially when the sun is shining. Jules Bradburn and co. have done a splendid job growing the market into a must-see attraction which has a vibe I’ve not experienced at other markets. Where have you travelled from? A stone’s throw away (if you’re a giant), 3 miles south of Sherborne in Longburton, where the apples are grown, the cider is produced and the cows are fed. Tell us about what you’re selling. We bring eight different ciders on market day, four of which are traditional farmhouse ciders, one which has been given some bubbles and the last three some playful ingredients to add a twist. Where and when did it all begin? In the summer of ’69 or was it 2010? The adventure began in 2010 and our apple trees started growing some fruit for us to experiment with. Our first batch of cider 24 | Sherborne Times | May 2022
was 300 litres and we now average at 30,000 litres. What do you enjoy most about selling at markets? The instant reaction of ‘OMG’ when a customer tries one of the ciders, followed by the smile that accompanies it. For The Sherborne Market specifically, I get to see those customers who aren’t frequent visitors to us in Longburton which allows me to have a good catch-up. If you get the chance, which fellow stallholders here at Sherborne would you like to visit? I’m a keen visitor to all food stallholders on rotation so I like to visit The Big Munch Mac & Cheese, The Thai Hut, Pizza Man, Crab Linguine, A Taste of Mexico, The Story Pig, and the Japanese food stall. I normally get a coffee in the morning too. Where can people find you on market day? You can find us in Pageant Gardens near the entrance closest to Sainsbury’s either in our mobile trailer or, fingers crossed, our new Cider Bus. twistedcider.co.uk
