Time to Play Shops: A Tribute to the WI Country Markets

In this delightful book Jo Major takes the reader on a photographic journey around rural Britain to discover the thriving organisation that is the WI Country Markets. These markets provide local communities with a variety of wholesome produce, from eggs to meat, from fresh vegetables to jams and cakes. But this is not all. They are also venues for local craftsmen to sell their wares, and places where artists can find an outlet. The WI Country Markets have formed in the centre of community life, yet as Major points out in the introduction, hers is not a ‘pastoral elegy’ but the opportunity to demonstrate the vibrancy and unity of the dedicated people who run and support them. The author explores the history and importance of the markets and their impact on local and more disparate communities. This is a journey from their historic beginnings to the success they have now come to enjoy.