Students at UCA put their creativity on show as they hosted their annual Winter Market.

The market, held on Thursday, November 13 and organised by the students’ union, featured more than 100 stalls run by students, alumni and Farnham businesses.

Marta Pajor's stall at Farnham UCA
Marta Pajor's stall at Farnham UCA’s Winter Market. (Marcus McQuilton/Tindle)

Artists and makers donned their entrepreneurial hats to sell gifts, crafts and other handmade items to the public and fellow students.

Naila Ahmad, owner of Snug Cookies in Farnham, said: “I love it. The atmosphere and vibe the students create is amazing and whilst other markets can generate more income this is the most fun. A lot of people in the town, however, don’t know enough about it and the people I have told didn’t even know they were allowed to come.”

UCA Alumni Ryan Waddon and his stall at UCA Farnham Market
Ryan Waddon and his stall at UCA Winter Market (Marcus McQuilton/Tindle?tindle)

Stallholder and student Hob Fox said: “This is my third year doing the market and I have learned so much from doing the fairs. I’ve learnt what sells and what doesn’t, what people really want and it means I’m excited to see what happens next for me in future. It has really given me confidence in business.”

Returning to the fair was Ryan Waddon, a former UCA Farnham student who graduated in 2023. Ryan said: “I love the University and coming back every year is very special. I was here as a student when the first market happened and it was only a few tables. Now there is so much activity.”

Student artist Katie Toner said: “This is my first market and normally I do it as a side job through commissions, but the market gives me an opportunity to meet people across different courses. So far people have seen my work and requested paintings of cats or moments from films.”