Globe stalls boost charities' coffers

OVER the past couple of weekends, the Globe's charity team has hit the Farmers' Market at Sausmarez Manor and the car boot sale at Le Mare de Carteret School.

We have been busy getting up early on Saturdays and raising money for the Guernsey Blind Association and the Dyslexia Day Centre.

I have discovered that, despite the early hours, they are fun and sociable ways to raise money for charity.

The Farmers' Market allowed us to sell good, local produce at the same time as raising much-needed funds for our charities. And the car boot sale was a good way of boosting their coffers and getting rid of a few of our unwanted items.

The Globe's resident chef, Michele Hockey, cooked up a storm until late on Friday night, with help from colleagues Sarah King and Becky Guilbert.

The girls made quiches, cakes, soup and mackerel pate for the Farmers' Market.

It didn't take long for Michele's soup to sell out and her sales tactics must be applauded – every time someone walked past, she would lift the lid off the soup pan, tempting the punters with the smell.

While there, a budding young guitarist, two-year-old Woody, entertained us.

The cute young chap followed local guitar player Mick Le Huray and copied his every move.

The car boot sale also turned up some interesting characters, most of them hungry bargain hunters.

It doesn't matter how early it is, come rain or shine, the regulars are out in force at Le Mare de Carteret on Saturdays.

'We do have our regulars,' said sale organiser Wendy Ayres.

'The weather does make a difference, but we still get a lot of people down on a cold day – it is a very social event.'

Wendy has been coordinating the car boot sale for two years and she doesn't intend to stop anytime soon.

'People will keep finding stuff to sell,' she said.

'Some of the items here, you won't find in shops and especially at the price they are here. The car boot is great for a number of reasons, one being that it is a great example of recycling and another is that it is a good family outing.

'Lots of families come down, all different generations, and it's nice to see, as it will be teaching the kids that you don't have to buy everything new and that it's not necessarily about the money when buying something, but what you're buying.'

All in all, the events helped the Globe raise £162.80 for our worthy causes.