Thousands of people came together and ensured Great Dunmow's first summer market was a roaring success. And plans are already afoot for another community event for November.

On Saturday, over 50 stalls promoted businesses based in the town centre or independent businesses from Dunmow and the surrounding villages.

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Among the varied food and drink options, MasterChef winner Alex Webb was in hot demand - for photos and for his seafood BBQ offering lobster and tempura prawns alongside glasses of champagne.

There was live music, dance group displays, face painting and festival hair, and the fire brigade and police were also in attendance.

Rachael Clark, chair of Great Dunmow Town Team, said: "It was so wonderful to see our town coming out to support and enjoy LOCAL.

"As chair, I was extremely proud to have organised this event. Myself and the core team spent many hours of hard work to put this together and can’t wait for more events in future."

MasterChef winner Alex Webb said: "It was good fun. I didn't even get to see any of the stalls - I had a queue for photographs and a queue for lobster!

"It was good to see the town nice and busy again.

"It was a good atmosphere, everyone was having fun."

Nikki Anthony from independent fashion boutique Wardrobe said: "It was a really good day. We had lots of people who had not been into the town before. Everyone seemed to enjoy just being out.

"It was a good job done by the town team. It had a really lovely vibe."

Mayor Patrick Lavelle said: "It was wonderful to see so many people out and enjoying themselves.

"Our local businesses really rose to the occasion.

"From bratwurst to lobster, coffee to champagne, we had it all.

"We were also entertained by many talented local musicians who kept us smiling all afternoon.

"Enormous thanks to Rachael Clark and the Great Dunmow Town Team for putting the Summer Market together and organising such a superb day.

"We still have lots of fun things coming up in Dunmow with regular free concerts in the town square featuring local musicians, the Delightful Dunmow photography competition and on September 4, the auditions for the new Town Crier."

In pictures: Great Dunmow's Summer Market 2021

Dunmow Broadcast: Great Dunmow Mayor Patrick Lavelle opens the Summer MarketGreat Dunmow Mayor Patrick Lavelle opens the Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: Members of Bounce Dunmow and Flitch Green show off their moves for Great Dunmow's Summer MarketMembers of Bounce Dunmow and Flitch Green show off their moves for Great Dunmow's Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: Members of Bounce Dunmow and Flitch Green put on a display at Great Dunmow's Summer MarketMembers of Bounce Dunmow and Flitch Green put on a display at Great Dunmow's Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: Members of Bounce Dunmow and Flitch Green put on a display at Great Dunmow's Summer MarketMembers of Bounce Dunmow and Flitch Green put on a display at Great Dunmow's Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: Fun and music at the Great Dunmow Summer MarketFun and music at the Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: Live music at Great Dunmow's Summer MarketLive music at Great Dunmow's Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: Music at Great Dunmow's Summer MarketMusic at Great Dunmow's Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: A performance at Great Dunmow's Summer MarketA performance at Great Dunmow's Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: There was lots of live entertainment at Great Dunmow Summer MarketThere was lots of live entertainment at Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: Face painting fun at the Great Dunmow Summer MarketFace painting fun at the Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: Face painting fun at Great Dunmow Summer MarketFace painting fun at Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: Face painting fun at Great Dunmow Summer MarketFace painting fun at Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: Fun festival hair outside Rudhair at Great Dunmow Summer MarketFun festival hair outside Rudhair at Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: Support for Great Dunmow's Summer MarketSupport for Great Dunmow's Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: The shun shone on Great Dunmow Summer MarketThe shun shone on Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: There was lots on offer at Great Dunmow Summer MarketThere was lots on offer at Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: Members of Dunmow Tae Kwon-Do at Great Dunmow Summer MarketMembers of Dunmow Tae Kwon-Do at Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: That outfit might be too big for a while! Fun at Great Dunmow's Summer Market with Essex County Fire and Rescue ServiceThat outfit might be too big for a while! Fun at Great Dunmow's Summer Market with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: A line of people waiting for face painting and glitter at Great Dunmow's Summer MarketA line of people waiting for face painting and glitter at Great Dunmow's Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: Food was popular at Great Dunmow Summer MarketFood was popular at Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: Staff at Trott & Whinny in a converted vintage horse box at Great Dunmow Summer MarketStaff at Trott & Whinny in a converted vintage horse box at Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: Lots of lovely food on offer at Great Dunmow's Summer MarketLots of lovely food on offer at Great Dunmow's Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: Time for a group photo at Great Dunmow Summer MarketTime for a group photo at Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: De La Terre and MasterChef winner Alex Webb at the Great Dunmow Summer MarketDe La Terre and MasterChef winner Alex Webb at the Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: Inside De La Terre natural wine bar at 16 Dunmow High Street, Great DunmowInside De La Terre natural wine bar at 16 Dunmow High Street, Great Dunmow (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: Nikki Anthony, owner of fashion boutique Wardrobe at 20 High Street, Great DunmowNikki Anthony, owner of fashion boutique Wardrobe at 20 High Street, Great Dunmow (Image: Saffron Photo 2020)

Dunmow Broadcast: Wardrobe was doing a roaring trade at the Great Dunmow Summer MarketWardrobe was doing a roaring trade at the Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: Rudhair was giving festival hair makeovers during Great Dunmow Summer MarketRudhair was giving festival hair makeovers during Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: Taking part in the Summer Market at The Shopkeeper Store, Great DunmowTaking part in the Summer Market at The Shopkeeper Store, Great Dunmow (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: Time for a cup of tea at Meadow Hill coffee shop and deli, Great Dunmow, on Summer Market dayTime for a cup of tea at Meadow Hill coffee shop and deli, Great Dunmow, on Summer Market day (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: A customer in The Rose Garden in High Street, Great DunmowA customer in The Rose Garden in High Street, Great Dunmow (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Dunmow Broadcast: Owner Heather of Heather B Designs The Jewellers at 12 High Street, Great DunmowOwner Heather of Heather B Designs The Jewellers at 12 High Street, Great Dunmow (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)