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Each month Jo Thoenes is finding out about local food and farmers’ markets throughout the county, and February’s spotlight is on Chipping Norton.

On the third Saturday every month the market square is taken over by local farmers, producers and growers. Making the most of the town’s unique position in North West Oxfordshire, there’s a wealth of produce from the county as well as the nearby valleys of Gloucestershire, and Worcestershire’s Vale of Evesham.

Suzanne Willson runs Chipping Norton (or ‘Chippy’) Farmers’ Market, which has grown since Thames Valley Farmers’ Market Co-operative Ltd took over the management four years ago.

“We’re blessed with gorgeous produce from the Cotswolds, including very fresh local vegetables, meat from Deddington, eggs from Charlbury and traditional cakes from Chippy,” says Suzanne. “We’ve got award-winning products too: mustards from Shaken Oak Products at Witney, and cheeses from Crudges at Kingham and Simon Weaver’s Organic dairy in Upper Slaughter.”

Among the producers at the market is Caroline Jenkins from Cakes Unlimited.Ìę Born and bred in ‘Chippy’, she has been selling cakes at Chipping Norton farmers' market for 4 years.Ìę

MP David Cameron is a regular customer

She uses local and seasonal ingredients for her cakes.Ìę “The flour comes from FWP Matthews at Shipton under Wychwood and the eggs from Callow Farm in Stonesfield,” says Caroline, “ and everyone loves cakes! David Cameron has been a regular customer - Banana Cake and Lemon Drizzle are his favourites.”

Caroline set up the business because it was something she could do while bringing up her family. She is also a skilled cake maker and decorator, and she bakes everything in her large range cooker at home.Ìę

Caroline is passionate about cakes and markets, “I really enjoys selling at Chipping Norton and Charlbury because of the friendly atmosphere. Customers become friends and there's a real buzz about markets.”

Double Chocolate Cake

100g Margarine

100g Caster Sugar

75g Self Raising Flour

2 Eggs

25g Cocoa powder

50g Chocolate chips

Cream together the margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, flour and cocoa and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Place in a lined 1lb loaf tin and bake in pre warmed oven (Gas 4, 200c) for 25-30 minutesÌęor until firm to the touch.

Allow to cool on a wire rack. When cold you could fill with vanilla buttercream and ice with chocolate fudge icing.