[T]here was a seasonal treat for the stallholders at the monthly Farmers’ Market in Grasmere.
Staff from the nearby Mathilde’s café carried out a tray of hot mulled wine for the market traders – after Father Christmas had called in to say hello.
The market is held once a month on the village green opposite Mathilde’s at the Heaton Cooper Studio. Director Becky Heaton Cooper said: “The market has added a lovely new dimension to village life, and we find that many of the shoppers are calling in here for late breakfast, lunch, or afternoon tea.
“We thought it would be a nice gesture to warm them up with some mulled wine on a cold day.”
Mathilde’s, which has a strong Nordic influence, sells a hot spicy non-alcoholic Glogg which is a Norwegian version of mulled wine. The café is named after the wife of the first Heaton Cooper artist, Alfred (who established the gallery and art studio). She was the young country girl from Norway who fell in love with Alfred. Together they founded a dynasty of great landscape artists: William, their son, became an equally eminent painter, as did their grandson Julian Cooper.
“Naming the café after her is our tribute; creating a menu with Scandinavian influence reflects an important part of our heritage,” said Becky Heaton Cooper.
