THERE has been an outpouring of grief for much loved Ludlow market trader Roger Farmer.

Mr Farmer died on Monday, May 11. He had been suffering from bowel cancer for two years.

Although the market has been closed since March because of Covid-19 people from the town have been paying their respects at the stall that he and his brother Robin worked from on Ludlow market.

It was a family business selling fruit and vegetables as well as flowers and plants that had been started more than 50 years ago by Mr Farmer’s parents.

Because of the shut down and his illness many people had not seen Mr Farmer for a time but his long service on the market is well remembered by many in the town and by regular visitors to the popular market.

Mr Farmer made his mark not just as a trader but as a friend to many people and was known for his kindness and willingness to help others.

Ludlow market currently remains closed although there have been calls for it to reopen with social distancing, but this has raised some concerns about safety.

The Government rules allow markets to continue to trade but the Town Council decided that it should close when restrictions were announced on Monday, March 23.