New mascot set to boost Knaresborough's market

The winning artist, Jasmine Jacobs,11, was joined by members of the Knaresborough Market Working Group and traders last week when her colourful take on the market was put on public display.

The competition, led by the group’s Secretary Jean Carter, was put forward to help promote the market and to foster ties between the next generation of traders and shoppers. She said: “I love the market, wherever you go you get a real sense of the community. It was something I used to do with my own mum. We know how important it is bring the market to the fore for young people with something like this, helping to keep the market going which is an important part of the town.”

Applauding the enthusiasm and support shown by six schools across the town for the competition she explained that winners were initially selected for each of these, before an overall winner was announced.

Entries flooded in from students at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Knaresborough St Johns Church of England Primary School, Aspin Park Primary, the Forest School and Goldsborough CE Primary School but at Meadowside Academy a special assembly was held to surprise Jasmine with the news that she was the overall winner.

She said: “I have been going to the market since I was younger, we always see people we know and there is so much to do. I was really happy when they told me I had won, I don’t ever win things like this.”

Her mum, Sarah Jacobs, added her delight at seeing Jasmine’s work helping bolster a key part of the community. She said: “ I am so thrilled for her and to know that her logo will go towards making a difference is fantastic. We are a Knaresborough family, I grew up here and used to go the market with my grandma, and now I take her. It is a big part of the town.“

The logo could soon be emblazoned on market stalls and Harrogate Borough Council vehicles, while the market working group plan to use it as part of the advertising efforts.It is also proposed that all the winners works be put on display at Knaresborough House in the future.

With support from across the town, including the Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and stall holders Chairman of the KMWG and Mayor of Knaresborough, Coun Phil Ireland, said: “I think the competition represents that the working group are thinking laterally by encouraging young people to take part in the market and that this will continue to grow.“I hope that this also goes towards dispelling ideas that the market could close and that it is in fact thriving.”