Artisan market gets under way with new businesses

A CHRISTMAS market has opened in Henley for the festive season.

The Henley Christmas Market, hosted by Henley Town Council, has returned to Market Place.

Independent businesses will be selling to guests from chalet-style huts every day from 10am to 4pm, until Sunday, December 14. Ben Money, owner of Money Pots and Prints, sells hand-glazed ceramics and ink lino prints that he makes himself.

He has been running his business for about a year but has been making his crafts since lockdown in 2020. He is at the market for four days this year.

Mr Money said: “It’s the first time I’ve done any market, let alone this one. I’m giving it a try.”

Billy Goodworth is the founder and operator of Bill’s Workshop, founded in 2021, which specialises in handmade cookware, but also teaches blacksmithing courses.

This is the company’s second year at Henley, having had a stall last year.

Mr Goodworth said: “We’re here for three days. Overall, yesterday was rather wet and gloomy and there weren’t very many people walking the streets.”

Chris Davis and Laura Venters were running the stall for Tutu Chocolates, based in Watlington, owned by Milissa Davis, Chris’s daughter.

This is the company’s second year at the market and are selling across two days.

Ms Venters said: “We handcraft all of our lovely chocolates on-site using the highest quality chocolate.”