Lunchtime Meeting - 12.45pm - Speaker Graham Wilson, OBE, Chief Executive of the NABMA

Based at The Guildhall in Oswestry, the National Association of British Market Authorities has successfully promoted the interests of its local members for over 80 years. Membership benefits include professional advice, a lively forum for discussion and a key role in shaping the future of markets. Membership is open to any local or public authority having control of retail, wholesale, livestock markets, public abattoirs and pleasure fairs.

Today we were pleased to welcome the NABMA Chief Executive Graham Wilson, OBE who spoke to the Club on the history of markets, the rights enjoyed by holders of the old, and very strange, title "Lord of the Manor" and the ways that markets were seeking to adapt to the ways and demands of modern life.

Markets are still an important part of community life today with around 100,000 market traders still operating in Britain today.  Graham told us about recent initiatives to revitalise markets with the recent 'Love Your Local Market 2014' scheme bringing many more new market traders forward.

Ian's other, non-speaking guest was David Preston, Town Clerk at Oswestry Town Council, the body responsible for operating Oswestry's market in and around the Powis Hall.