The controller of Helston Farmers’ Market is due to step down this Saturday after six years at the helm.

June 7 will mark the 86th and final market with Joanne Schofield in charge, as she plans to move to south west France with her family in the summer.

She said: “It has been a wonderful experience being involved in the process from the very beginning and seeing the market become the largest of its kind in Cornwall.

“With the help and support of South Kerrier Alliance, volunteers, fantastic local producers and an ever increasing number of shoppers, the market has grown to become one of the best markets in the county.

“It has been a real privilege to have been part of it all and I shall always have wonderful memories of my time with the market.”

Having arrived in Cornwall in 1999 to help the family oversee the repairs and running of Godolphin House, near Helston, Joanne started organising farmers’ markets in 2000, and ran a series of large food markets and festivals in the grounds of Godolphin over the following years.

She has been involved in many aspects of the local food scene in the county, being a long standing Slow Food Cornwall committee member, and she was chairperson during the pilot project for the West Cornwall Farmers’ Market Consortium and assisted with setting up the Camborne Produce Market and Mullion Farmers’ Market, both of which continue to thrive.

Helston Farmers’ Market and South Kerrier Alliance is actively seeking a new market controller to start in August.

For information on how to apply, contact Sarah Vine, business manager at the Old Cattle Market Building on 01326 560606, before June 13