Putting community at the heart of Easter this year, Borough Market will be displaying a four-metre-high Easter Tree of Hope, decorated with more than 200 wooden eggs hand painted by local schools, charities and friends of the Market, filled with blossom and surrounded by a cornucopia of fruit and vegetables from Market traders to create a sense of Spring abundance.
Situated at the original centre of Borough Market in Middle Row, near the Market Bell, the tree will be revealed to the public on Wednesday 13th April and will be decorated with messages and drawings of hope for the future to lift people’s spirits and show solidarity in light of recent events. The tree will remain in place until 19th April.
Those who have contributed to the installation include primary school children involved in the Borough Market and School Food Matters’ Young Marketeers Programme; secondary schools that take part in Southwark Young Entrepreneurs, who host two sales in the Market per year; members and volunteers of Plan Zheroes, who redistribute surplus food from the Market to local charities and organisations; members of the Borough Market Cookbook Club, which is hosted by Angela Clutton; Southwark Cathedral Early Learning Centre and Junior Church Families; and the Market’s traders and staff.
In addition to the 200 plus eggs strung on vegetable dyed ribbons found on the Easter Tree of Hope, there will be a further eight giant eggs that will form a special family Easter egg trail in the Market, taking place from 13th-16th April (inclusive). Participants will need to find the answers to the Borough Market Easter Quiz displayed on the eggs hidden amongst the numerous stalls. There will be 50 delicious chocolatey prizes up for grabs each day, from trader So Chocolicious for those taking part in the trail.
The giant eggs have been specially decorated by artist and illustrator Rosie Brooks, who is a long-standing supporter of Borough Market and has recently become a volunteer for Plan Zheroes for their twice-weekly collections at the Market.
Those visiting during the Easter holidays can expect to find high quality seasonal produce perfect for the Easter table including spring lamb, asparagus, new potatoes, hot cross buns and more. A selection of Easter recipes to cook at home can also be found on the Borough Market website.
Kate Howell, Director of Communications and Engagement at Borough Market, said: “We are so lucky to be a part of such a strong community here at Borough Market. The Easter Tree of Hope is a beautiful example of how the Market acts as a support hub for people who can come together and lift each other through these difficult times. While this installation has a deep-rooted meaning of hope for the future behind it, we also want people to come to the Market to celebrate this Easter – something we’ve not been able to mark properly for the past two years. We are looking forward to welcoming families and friends to the Market to enjoy the atmosphere and our traders’ wonderful produce.”
Over the Easter weekend Borough Market will be open on Good Friday from 10am-5pm and will be operating extended hours on Saturday 16th from 8am-5pm. The Market will be closed on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday to allow traders to enjoy some time off with their families and friends.
