Alison Cooke from Tenbury Wells Country Market
Worcestershire Country Market

“I sell my cakes into two local stores as well as at Tenbury Wells Country Market. I've been selling cakes into David and Vicky's store in Ditton for a while now. I have a shelf and go in with my order and fill it up on a regular basis. It’s very satisfying seeing it full of all my stuff and I find myself baking a real variety – even a customer’s special request for flapjacks. One customer said that my cakes were melt-in-the-mouth. That really does make you feel good I can tell you.

I suppose my first customers (although I didn’t actually sell to them) were my hubby's work colleagues; I started with fruit cakes and quickly found myself baking allsorts because of the demand. Everyone just seemed to love them.

My mum always wanted me to be a cookery teacher; I did do Food Studies at A level, but at the last minute decided to be a music teacher. However I still continued with cooking and joining Tenbury Wells Country Market gave me independence, companionship and an income. We are a close bunch, we all muck in and get involved in other Market activities such as cookery demonstrations. I've also trained as a 'Let's Cook' Tutor and am helping teach the younger generation, something I’m sure my Mum would be very proud of.”