Rafters Of Driffield

30/05/2026

One of the real pleasures of running Rafters isn't the fruit and vegetables.

It's the people.

I've had two quite humbling conversations this week that have really stayed with me.

The first was with a lovely lady who called into the shop carrying a handwritten account of her family's history in the fruit trade, going back to the 1930s and 40s. As a young girl she travelled to the wholesale markets with her parents and grandparents and shared some wonderful stories of a bygone era. Reading through her notes later, I was amazed to discover the name of someone from Wakefield Market that I can actually remember from my early days in the trade. I can't wait to tell her when I next see her.

Then today, by complete coincidence, I met Beryl.

Beryl is 92 years old, partially sighted, and travels from Bridlington into Driffield once or twice a week. Her father, and I believe her grandfather too, were in the fruit and vegetable trade. She told me that from the age of two she was travelling to the wholesale markets by horse and cart with her father.

Just imagine the changes she has seen.

What really touched me was when she told me that she likes to stand at the front of our shop and smell the fruit. The aromas take her straight back to her childhood and the days spent with her family in the trade.

I have to admit, I hadn't noticed Beryl before. But I'll certainly be keeping an eye out for her now.

She was an absolute joy to talk to. Full of warmth, full of stories and still sharp as a tack. When I told her how wonderful she looked for 92, she simply smiled and said:

"That's what you get from eating your greens and plenty of fruit."

I couldn't really argue with that.

In a world that often seems to move too fast, these conversations felt very special. In truth, I found them quite emotional. I felt genuinely privileged that these two ladies wanted to share their memories and stories with me.

It's such a pleasure speaking to customers, and it's something I'll never tire of.

Two remarkable ladies, two remarkable stories and a timely reminder that food isn't just about what we eat.

It's about family, memories, community and the people we meet along the way.

30/05/2026

Last week we had a lovely visitor at Rafters.

Mev from Berry & Bright in Morley made the journey over to Driffield after following our page for some time. She’d only been trading for around 10 months and wanted a chat about the realities of running an independent shop.

I have to say, I was incredibly impressed.

Starting a business today takes courage. The costs are high, the competition is fierce and there are plenty of challenges along the way. We’ve been trading for 29 years, so whilst we’ve become battle-hardened over the years, I wouldn’t underestimate just how difficult it is for someone starting from scratch.

What struck me most about Mev was her enthusiasm, positivity and determination to make a success of her business. We need more people like her.

Independent shops bring character, personality and community spirit to our towns. Without people willing to take that leap of faith, our high streets become a much poorer place.

So I’d like to ask a small favour. Please give Berry & Bright a follow and, if you’re anywhere near Morley, call in and say hello. Every thriving independent business started with someone taking a chance, and I genuinely hope the local community gets behind her.

Lovely to meet you, Mev. Thank you for making the trip over to see us, and don’t ever hesitate to get in touch if there’s anything we can help with.

Good luck and keep doing what you’re doing.
Andy

30/05/2026

Here's a list of the lucky winners from last weeks raffle here at at Rafters. Well done everybody! And thankyou to all the businesses who donated prizes.

Reighton Nurseries - Bev
Lavish Nails & Beauty - Jessica
Elstons Butchers - Nicola Amidulla
Rafters Hamper - Jessica Feeley
Elsies Parlour - Laura Dalton, Pippa & Phoebe
Cafe Norah - Aimee Appleby
Cosy Cow - Becky Derevonko
Cosy Cow - Nancy
Roberto’s - Liane
Roberto’s - Anna Norton
Rafters Bouquet - Barbara Fairfield
SamaSama - Katie Fenton

WOW! We raised an INCREDIBLE £800 towards our DisneyLand Paris costume fund today whilst bag packing at Rafters!

Thank you so much to Arianne and the Rafters team for hosting this fundraising event for us and to all of the Driffield community who came out to support us.🩵🩷

A huge thank you to the following businesses who kindly donated some wonderful vouchers for our raffle.

Elston’s Butchers Driffield
Elsie’s Parlour
The Cosy Cow
Roberto Authentic Italian Gelato
Reighton Nurseries
Lavish Nails and Beauty
Cafe Norah Driffield
SAMA SAMA

The Disney countdown is on!🤩

29/05/2026

WE ARE HIRING!

As our business continues to grow, we currently have two opportunities to join the team at Rafters of Driffield.

PART-TIME SHOP ASSISTANT

We are looking for a friendly, reliable and enthusiastic person to join our busy shop team.

The role will involve:
• Serving customers
• Replenishing stock
• Maintaining high shop standards
• Assisting with displays and merchandising
• Providing excellent customer service

The successful applicant will be:
• Friendly and approachable
• Polite and well presented
• Reliable and punctual
• Hard-working and enthusiastic
• Able to work as part of a team
• Confident dealing with customers
• Flexible and willing to help where needed

Minimum 24 hours per week.

Weekend working will be required on a rota basis.

PART-TIME WEEKEND & AFTER SCHOOL SALES ASSISTANT

We are also looking for a part-time Sales Assistant to support our team during busy periods.

Hours include:
• Monday to Friday, 4pm to 5pm
• Most Saturdays
• Some Sundays on a rota basis
• Additional hours available for holiday cover and busy periods

This role would suit someone who is friendly, dependable, enjoys working with people and is looking for flexible part-time work.

Applicants should be entering, attending or have completed Year 11 education and be confident interacting with customers in a busy retail environment.

Retail experience is an advantage but not essential, as full training will be provided for the right candidates.

If you would like to join a friendly, well-established local business with a reputation for quality, service and customer care, we'd love to hear from you.

Please send your CV to [email protected] or call into the shop and introduce yourself.
Tracy is available in the shop tomorrow (30th) between 9am-12

Rafters of Driffield
60 Middle Street South
Driffield YO25 6PH

29/05/2026

Beautiful English Strawberries only £1.50

29/05/2026

Perfection right there❤️🍓 Class1 Supersweet Strawberries £1.50
Incredible Value and plenty to go at!

29/05/2026

What are the chances of that?

On the very same day that Phil Hough retires, two more stalwarts of the fruit and vegetable trade have also called time on their careers.

Today, Gary Hickson and Kev Calver retire after dedicating decades of their lives to our industry.

It is genuinely difficult to imagine the market without them. For as long as I can remember, Gary and Kev have been there every morning. Their faces, their voices, their knowledge and, of course, their opinions, have been part of the fabric of the trade.

Both men have given an enormous amount to the fresh produce industry. Their contacts, experience and understanding of the business are immeasurable. They have seen the trade change beyond recognition over the years, yet their professionalism, dedication and knowledge never wavered.

Like all long-standing relationships in business, we've had our ups and downs over the years, but one thing never changed. Gary and Kev were always consummate professionals who cared deeply about the industry and the people within it.

Towards the latter part of their careers they formed a formidable partnership. Between them they seemed to know everyone, know everything, and usually had a story or two to tell along the way.

The younger salesmen coming through have some very big boots to fill. The standards set by the likes of Gary and Kev should never be underestimated. They represent a generation of produce men whose knowledge wasn't learned from a computer screen, but from years of experience, early mornings, hard work and genuine passion for the trade.

The market won't quite feel the same without them. For many of us, they've simply always been there. Through good markets, bad markets, bumper crops, shortages and everything in between.

On a personal note, I consider myself fortunate to have dealt with both of them over many years, and even more fortunate to call them friends. The banter was relentless, the laughs were genuine, and the friendship was real.

Have a long, happy and well-deserved retirement, lads. Thank you for everything you've done for the industry and for the friendship you've shown over the years.

You'll both be missed more than you probably realise.

Now you've got no excuse. It's time to get those golf handicaps down.

Enjoy every minute. You've both more than earned it.

29/05/2026

Today marks the end of an era.

After an incredible 57 years in the fresh produce trade, Mr Phil Hough of Associated Growers has retired.

Phil founded Associated Growers on Humber Street, Hull, in 1969 at just 24 years of age. Through hard work, vision and determination, he built the business into one of the most significant fresh produce operations the UK has ever seen.

At a time when East Yorkshire was the heart of British horticulture, Phil became the country’s largest supplier of flat lettuce and cucumbers. The numbers were simply staggering. At his peak, Associated Growers was selling around 20,000 boxes of locally grown flat lettuce every week and between 15,000 and 20,000 boxes of cucumbers, supplying greengrocers and wholesale markets throughout London, the Midlands, Scotland and beyond, and remember there were no computers in those days!

Christmas was equally remarkable. With around 200 acres of Brussels sprouts grown on his behalf, Phil would sell between 12,000 and 15,000 nets of sprouts in just a few days. In an age before modern refrigeration and supermarket dominance, those volumes are almost impossible for many of us to imagine today.

But Phil’s legacy is about far more than impressive sales figures.

He has been an ambassador for the fresh produce industry, a leader, a mentor and a source of knowledge and experience that few can match. His understanding of the trade, built over nearly six decades, has earned him enormous respect throughout the industry.

Many people reading this will have crossed paths with Phil over the years. Some will have traded with him, worked alongside him, bought from him, or simply benefited from his wisdom and guidance.

Speaking personally, I will miss his experience, his knowledge and his passion for the trade. He has been one of the true characters of our industry and a good man who has dedicated his working life to fresh produce.

On behalf of everyone who has had the privilege of knowing him, thank you Phil.

Enjoy your retirement. You’ve certainly earned it.

29/05/2026

We have had a extra delivery today from The Gluten Free Cakery 😁