Organised by stalwart club member Doreen Fraser with support from the North East Valley Bowling Club committee, the community market — to be held this Sunday from 11am-2pm at the club greens, 139 North Rd, will be the fourth for the club.
‘‘We have worked hard since last year to get the community markets off the ground and they started off really well,’’ Mrs Fraser said.
‘‘After the first couple, it has been tougher to find stallholders, so we are grateful to those who have signed up for this weekend’s market.’’
Stalls at Sunday’s community market will offer a wide range of goods, including plants, home wear, pottery, books, flowers, clothing, jewellery, hand crafts, carvings, toys, honey, cakes and bric-a-brac. There will also be a coffee cart and food truck on site, food from the kitchen, and music by Mark Vail.
‘‘Now we need good weather and a good turnout from the community to make the market a success — it’s a work in progress,’’ she said.
‘‘There is a fun atmosphere about the market, so we are encouraging everyone to come down and join us in supporting the stall holders.’’
North East Valley Bowling Club administration officer/treasurer Michelle Fallow said hosting the Community Market Days was a great way for the club to continue growing its community connections.
In May last year, the 121 year-old club was considering closure, but had decided instead to focus on developing the club as a community asset alongside making a strong showing in the national bowls arena.
Tucked away down a long driveway between houses in North Rd, North East Valley Bowling Club has two large bowling greens and a substantial clubhouse, which could offer a variety of rooms for meetings and events.
‘‘People coming here for the first time are often surprised by how large the facility actually is,’’ she said.
The club was still working to attract groups to use its facilities, but there was definitely more of a buzz about the place, Mrs Fallow said.
The North East Valley Bowling Club will host The Valley Project’s ‘‘Winter Warmer’’ community dinner in June.
People interesting in becoming stall holders at the community market can email nevbowls@xtra.co.nz.
