We estimate around 1000 people popped in to check out the place and the market, and we heard some pretty enthusiastic comments about the site. The vege vendors did a roaring trade and many people bought some food or coffee and had a picnic in the lovely grounds. Many just perused the craft, clothing, plant and second hand stalls looking at what was on offer.
For those of us in the Halswell Community Project who have been working hard to get these markets running it was heartening to see a very diverse range of people turning up and enjoying the market and the grounds. These numbers really help us because they make it more likely that our vendors will return for future markets.
The Community Project team also got the news in late December that we have been allocated $10,000 by the Canterbury Community Trust to help us get consent to run the market on a regular basis. We still have some negotiating to do with the site owners and we'll need to think about how the site might work if we want to go weekly in a year or two. Still, it is now starting to feel as if we have a good chance of getting this baby off the ground! We look forward to our next market and the St John of God Picnic on the 22nd February 2015 and hope to see you there.
Like the Halswell Community Market page on Facebook for regular updates and information about the stall holders and any deals coming up at the market!
