It takes a special sort of someone to drag themselves out of a warm bed way before dawn breaks, put on a few layers of clothing, load up, wipe the snow of the windscreen and set off to set up at Hadleigh market.

Stallholders have been doing this in this ancient wool town's Market Place for hundreds of years but 2020 has been especially challenging with the Covid pandemic, and now this morning a somewhat unexpected snowfall, but their were no moans and groans, when Nub News visited this morning, on the contrary it was all warm welcomes and smiles.

A palpable camaraderie shone through, defying the grey skies and occasional drizzle as the various owners wandered around over to other stallholders to buy some produce of just have natter. The inter-working was epitomised on Lee's Pickled Jam stall where, in among his puddings, pickles and preserves, were sausage rolls made freshly with pork bought from Greenacres Butchers, whose cheery disposition at the market's entrance sets the tone.

There has been a market in Hadleigh for more than 300 years, and while the town council keeps the charter alive by laying a rose every year on Clopton's grave in Long Melford, the stallholders pay a bit more to ply their goods and wares.

While some staples have remained the same through the centuries, with Woodlands Bake Away, now supplying the artisan bread, locally supplied veg, freshly caught fish from Lowestoft's Crystal Waters and meat from the aforementioned Greenacres, modern and seasonal needs are catered for too.

David from has been coming to Hadleigh Market with his fish van for nearly 10 years, carrying on the Lowestoft's firm's tradition of not missing a Friday in 30 years. While David is a veteran, Alan at the Smoke House Kitchen is a relatively new addition, this was his second appearance and vowed to make it more. "It is so friendly here," he said. "I love it, so I will be coming back."

There are Christmas gift ideas galore, with unique and unusual presets for those who already have everything or just like the quirky.

Take Greenwood for example, his extensive range of festive signs, decorations and unusual bottles, are all from recycled wood or repurposed items, even his A-board is from an old pallet. His motto is 'reducing waste one recycled item at a time' and lives up to his word by turning the smallest off-cut into a hand crafted Christmas decoration.

Bespoke jewellery, trinkets, baubles and those extra special gift cards and notes are available and if they are not on show due to the wet and windy weather, just ask and more will magically appear.

As the gloom sets in, then what better than some glowing wax melts or scented candles from Light By Night, which offer that perfect contracts of dark and bright using 100% natural soy wax.

You can't help but feel the love and then there is Tenille's Love Refills which has tapped into the increasing desire for zero waste and their range of food refills, such as oats, rice, pasta, lentils, tea and flour are very popular. The same can be said for the detergents, soaps and other boxcar products. Best the bring your own container when possible.

Whatever the weather, and whoever it is for, a visit to the Gourmet Fudge Box will complete the market day experience and Sally will serve you up a sweet treat to take home.

With plenty of room to social distance, the stalls are well set apart too, this is an excellent outdoor area to shop and meet people in a safe and sensible way - and you just don't who might bump into while buying your essentials and extras.

It is not just the traders who travel in from all parts of Suffolk, and Essex, but customers too are drawn in from afar, as we found with one lovely lady from Shotley enjoying the goodies and gossip.

We can't be absolutely what next Friday will bring, but one thing is guaranteed - the market will be open from 9am to 2pm, so get along and enjoy the warm welcome, smiles and excellent produce and products.

To see more pictures go to the top image and scroll right.