Market to boost morale in a town trying to be positive
Two Ashhurst women have organised a market to bring positivity back to a town upset by the Manawatu¯ Gorge road closure.
In April, the gorge road closed after several slips.
Since then, streets in Ashhurst have endured increased, noisy traffic from motorists heading on to the Saddle Rd – an alternative route to the gorge.
In late September, some residents of Wyndham and Oxford streets were shocked to find one of 13 proposed permanent alternative routes to the gorge could cut through their properties.
Against this backdrop of worry and frustration, Emma Hopkins and Belinda Luamanu wanted to bring some positivity to the the town.
This would balance the negativity on social media the Manawatu¯ Gorge roading problems had brought to the surface, Luamanu said.
‘‘We just thought it’s time to start having a positive focus in the community.
‘‘We actually have a really cool place to live in and it’s to remind people.’’
The craft and food market, on October 27, has nearly 30 stalls booked so far, a stage for school performances and food trucks.
Hopkins said there would be cheese and candied apples for sale, as well as children’s toys and jewellery.
It would be an opportunity for people to do early Christmas shopping and have a good evening out, Luamanu said.
Property Brokers is providing a bouncy castle and there will be a kids’ corner for budding artists to draw chalk pictures.
Ashhurst was getting a ‘‘bad rap’’ lately, so the pair wanted to show out-of-towners what it had to offer, as well as giving residents a boost, Hopkins said.
‘‘People are a bit fed up and a bit disheartened about roading and where the road’s going to go.’’
The market is also a fundraiser for a mural that will be painted in the town centre.
It’s going would be a native bird, but it was unclear when the mural would be created, Hopkins said.
The market is on October 27, from 5pm to 8pm, at the Village Valley Centre.