Our community was at the heart of last night’s meeting, where we heard from Jan Deros and Andrew Riley from Malton Community Interest Company (CIC), a charitable company, working for the benefit of the community in Malton and Norton and to promote our towns.

Andrew and Jan from We Love Malton
Andrew and Jan described how the values of those behind the We Love Malton initiative are closely aligned to those of the Women’s Institute. Both are committed to promoting civic responsibility, volunteering and serving the community.
The CIC, formed in 2011 and supported by the Fitzwilliam Estate, helps to fund and run community events like Malton Food Lovers Festival, the Cycling Festival and the Book Lovers Festival. The Company also supports other good causes, like our local Citizens Advice Bureau. Andrew and Jan explained how they’re working to create a sense of pride in our towns and to revive the commercial history of the town. Every penny made is ploughed back into the community.
The annual Food Festival and the monthly Food Lovers Markets are helping to put our towns “on the map.” In 2012, the CIC won an Association of Market Towns award, acknowledging its work putting a market back into a traditional market town, at a time when many remained under threat, struggling to survive in a time when changes in our shopping habits, and the rise of the internet, have hit many town centers hard.
Malton and Norton’s rich food heritage is something that locals are passionate about. The decision to celebrate this, and place food at the heart efforts to raise the town’s profile and regenerate our area came about as a result of discussions about what’s special about our area. With local producers travelling far and wide to sell sought-after, produce at destination markets like London’s Borough, the idea to build on Malton’s food heritage seemed a natural step. Just six years on, the Food Festival, “Malton’s biggest party,” is securing coverage in the national press, drawing top name chefs and food writers and attracting 20,000 visitors each year.
The market is only possible with the support of volunteers from our local community. It’s vital for us to get behind this initiative. It’s a chance for us to give something back to our local community, to help build a thriving town for our children’s future and create a sense of pride in our heritage.
If you’re interested in helping call Andrew on 07919 112 332 or e-mail Andrew@welovemalton.co.uk