Volunteers wanted to keep community market going

A weekly market has taken place in the parish since 1984, when it was started by the local Women’s Institute.

These days it is run every Friday by the North Community Market group under the watchful eye of organiser and treasurer Sarah Breton.

A handful of craft stalls sit alongside tables of items brought in by small community providers, including vegetables and cakes, and Mrs Breton collects payment on behalf of the producers and keeps a small percentage to help pay for the hire of the parish douzaine room.

While many of the sellers have been going for years, a new arrival in November last year was the Talking Cafe table organised by Health Connections. Jane Kewell and Andrea Griffiths offer information and the chance for anyone to have a chat.

Michaela Cleal has been selling her hand-made quilts, cushion covers, fabric baskets and other items for about six years and said she loves going along every week. ‘It’s a community and you get to know so many people.’

Woollen items she had knitted were being sold by Eve Boreham, along with stones painted by her daughter. ‘It’s friendly and welcoming here and you get to know the people,’ she said.

The regular raffle of ‘shopping basket’ items proved the highlight of the morning and for the last eight years or so this has been organised by former parish constable Margaret Cleal, who still goes out to buy all the prizes.

Like many voluntary groups, the market team would welcome more help. ‘We’re always looking for more volunteers to help with setting up and to man stalls,’ said Mrs Breton.

. The North Community Market and coffee morning at the Vale douzaine room runs every Friday from 10-11.30am.