Think of a number!

It was another great Farmers' Market in town yesterday. The sun shone all day and the High Street was packed from 9.00 am to mid afternoon. Everyone was in a good mood and the stall holders all went home with happy smiles on their faces - some of them having sold out before lunch time. This is why Stone's market has gained the undisputed title of the 'best Farmers' Market in Staffordshire'.

It was also the opportunity to carry out some reasonably scientific calculations as to footfall. For a long time we have had to make a calculated guess (i.e think of a number!) when asked how many people come to Stone on a Farmers' Market day. Well I think we are now in a better position to justify our 'guesstimate'.

Throughout the day Stone Food and Drink Festival volunteers handed out a total of 500 leaflets promoting the festival. Almost without exception these were handed to couples or families. So lets say, therefore, that we engaged directly with at least a thousand people. But we were only able to give away leaflets to, say, every fifth couple. This is because some, not many, refused the leaflet but, more often, because most people who were given a leaflet wanted to stop and ask questions or engage in conversation. And at the busiest times it was simply impossible to get to everyone. So I reckon it is fairly accurate to multiply the figure of one thousand by a factor of five. Therefore it is my assertion that yesterday there were at least five thousand visitors in town.  Not all at one time, of course, but spread across the morning and early afternoon.

Other facts tend to support this calculation. Firstly, the street was heaving with people for most of the morning. Most pubs and restaurants were doing very good business all day. Then I heard most of the car parks were full by mid morning and that, for a while, the one way system was chockablock with  traffic.

Yes. A very successful day indeed. And I can now say, with confidence, that we attracted five thousand people to town! Unless you can pick holes in my calculation and assumptions!