THE new administrator for Tavistock Farmers? Market is looking forward to going back to her roots, writes Ann Parsons.

Mrs Maria Jones became responsible for the smooth running of the market from Saturday, October 9, taking over from previous manager David Evans .

Mr Evans had to relinquish the post he has carried out since the market began in 2001 for personal reasons. During this time the market has increased from 15 suppliers on a monthly basis to 24 traders on a twice-monthly basis.

Maria worked for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office before the birth of her two sons, and recently moved to West Devon after her husband was offered a job in the area.

She was brought up in the Black Mountains in Wales and has a farming background.

She said: ?I wanted to get back into the working environment ? I am going back to my roots.?

She added that she was ?looking forward to working with the market and all the traders in a new and challenging role?.

Maria?s first promotional event will be on Saturday, October 23, when the market hosts Apple Day and the judging of pumpkins, grown from seed supplied by WestDen?s Good Food Project and given to schoolchildren in local primary schools to grow.

There will also be a chef demonstrating and creating mouth-watering recipes that can be produced from pumpkins.

Maria can be contacted on 01822 820360.