Long before brands were printed on packaging, makers marked their goods in simpler ways. One of the earliest trademarks was the butter stamp, a carved wooden mould pressed into fresh butter so customers could recognise who had made it.

Butter stamps were more than decoration – they symbolized a significant, early form of economic independence for rural women. Selling their surplus butter provided extra income for their families. In a busy market, the intricate pattern left in the butter helped those who couldn’t read, as it identified which butter came from which maker. Each imprint was a quiet signature of skill, reputation, and pride in craft.

One special butter stamp in our collection belonged to the White family of Whitford. In 1911, Arthur John White gave his bride Dora a butter mould carved with his family’s own pattern as a wedding gift - a symbol of a life built on hard work, home, and tradition. Years later, their son Arthur Hone White gifted the mould to The Howick & Districts Historical Society so its story could be remembered for generations.

When we began creating the logo for The Village Farmers’ Market at Bell House, we wanted something that reflected those same values - local makers, tradition, craftsmanship, and community.

That is why our logo is inspired by the historic butter stamp. Just like those early market days, it represents the people behind the produce, and the pride in what they made.

We think it’s the perfect symbol for a market built on heritage, local growers, and handmade goods.

Welcome to The Village Farmers’ Market at Bell House.