A Mother’s Day market this weekend is the first in a series of special events lined up for Mansfield Market in the coming weeks.

From markets with an international flavour to an event to mark the 200th anniversary of a local railway line, there will be something to entice all-comers to the town centre between now and the end of May.

Mike Robinson, Strategic Director of Mansfield District Council, said: “We are pulling out all the stops to bring lots of variety and different events to Mansfield Market to help boost the number of visitors to the town centre and encourage people to support their local economy.

“It is part of the council’s wider efforts to promote Mansfield as a destination as part of our ‘place shaping’ strategy and to encourage more people to live here, work here and invest in the district.”

Saturday 30 March, 11am to 2pm: the market will host stalls selling a variety of gifts and treats for Mothering Sunday and there will also be craft activities in the gazebo where children will be able to make a gift for their mum.

Tuesday 2 April until Sunday 7 April, 9am to 6pm: there will be International Market week with stalls selling international food and goods and international cuisine.

Sunday 7 April, 10am to 3pm: Artisan and Craft Market with stalls selling a range of unusual, handmade and artisan products, including jewellery, bath bombs, and candles. It will be the first of four Artisan and Craft Market events this year. The other ones are on 14 July, 24 November and 15 December.

Saturday 13 April, 10am to 4pm: the market will be hosting a major event to mark the 200th anniversary of the Mansfield and Pinxton Railway.

Tuesday April 16, 10am to 4pm: monthly farmers’ market with a range of local produce on sale, including meat, pies, cakes, fruit and vegetables, eggs, homemade jams and sauces and organic fruit and vegetables. The market in May will be on Tuesday May 21.

Sunday 28 April, 10am to 2pm: aficionados of air-cooled vehicles will be flocking to the Market Place when The Air Cooled Travellers will be meeting and showing off their vehicles, including VW Beetles, and camper vans, as well as dune buggies and Porsches. There will also be live music, food and drinks stalls and face-painting.

Saturday 4 May, 10am to 4pm: the market will be taking an international flavour again when it hosts a special Latvian market with stalls selling art and craft items, jewellery, and with information about traveling to Latvia.

Friday 17 May to Friday 31 May: Mansfield will be the marking Love your Local Market fortnight with craft days for children and a special day for charities, among other activities being planned.

The event to mark the railway’s bicentenary on 13 April is being organised by the Kirkby and District Archaeological Group in partnership with the Old Mansfield Society, Sutton Heritage Society, and Pinxton and South Normanton History Society.

Denis Hill, President of the Kirkby group and Project Officer for the Group set up to mark the railway’s landmark birthday, said: “We are really looking forward to marking this 200th anniversary with the events in Mansfield, which follow on from an exhibition at Mansfield Museum.

“This is a record breaking anniversary and one that Mansfield should be proud of – come and join us, either on the walk or to listen to the musical entertainment.

“This railway, which opened for business on 13 April 1819, was built to connect Mansfield – a boom town at the time – to the Cromford Canal at Pinxton Wharf. The town had become isolated from the UK’s growing canal network due to the topography of the land and the railway created a vital commercial link.

“This line, now partly incorporated into the Robin Hood Line between Mansfield and Kirkby, is the oldest continuously running commercial railway in England and was a significant part of the industrial history of this area.”

The celebrations will include a walk from King’s Mill Viaduct, the oldest railway viaduct in England, to Mansfield Railway Station, accompanied by a marching band.

There will also be a stall on Mansfield Market to distribute flags and free sweets to children, sell memorabilia and to hold an exhibition.

Meanwhile, there will be a stage in the Market Place with live music from 12.15pm to 3.50pm. The performers will include The Saints Ukulele Group, from Annesley, who will be singing songs about railways, Huthwaite Silver Prize Band, the popular Mansfield skiffle band, Kick ‘n’ Rush, and Selston Folk Group.

There will also be competitions for adults and children for the best period dress (1819) and best photographs of the day, with cash prizes to win.

For more details about the railway celebrations, contact Denis Hill at [email protected] or 0744 353 6811.

Anyone seeking to trade at any of these markets, or the usual weekly market, should call 01623 463073 or email [email protected]. Stalls start from just £6 a day and parking is free for traders.