Ravensdale Country Market stays open
Ravensdale Country Market has been going strong for over three decades and although it had to close down earlier this year during the COVID-19 lockdown, the organisers were committed to keeping it open during the current Level 5 restrictions.
‘As we sell food we are allowed to stay open,’ says secretary Nuala O’Rourke.
She feels that market provides a valuable role in the community during these ‘very strange times.’
While teas and coffees are no longer being served during the current restrictions, Nuala says the Market still gives people the opportunity to connect with their neighbours.
‘It’s very important even if people aren’t sitting down having a cuppa, they are still able to see each other and say hello,’ she says. ‘People are really missing the human contact and are almost forgetting how to interact so it’s nice that they can still come here.’
The weekly market which takes place in Ravensdale Community Centre every Saturday morning from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
‘We have made changes to make sure we are complying with the COVID-19 regulations,’ explains Nuala. ‘ There’s hand sanitizer inside the doors and everyone must wear a mask. We’ve introduced a one way system, and are no longer serving teas and coffees indoors. We did serve them outside up until the Level 5 restrictions came into place and will look at doing so again.’
Shoppers are encouraged to make their purchases as quickly as possible and card payments are now accepted. This, Nuala remarks, has given them a lift in sales as often people would have popped into the market with just a little bit of money and wouldn’t have been able to buy something which caught their eye.
As a Country Market, all the items on sale are produced locally. The market is particularly well known for its range of delicious home baking, including speciality breads, cakes, tray bakes, and other treats. They have recently introduced a gluten free range which is provig very popular. There are also savouries such as pizza, foccia bread, quiche, sauces and dips, homemade jams and chutneys. Other offerings include fresh free range eggs, as well as tonics and herbal remedies. There’s also a selection of handknitted and crochet clothing for babies and young children, as well as hats, scarves and gloves to keep you warm in the winter weather, and you can also get handmade fabric face coverings. Plants and flowers are also for sale.
With Christmas fast approaching, orders are being taken for seasonal baking, including cakes and puddings.