Extra rail carriage sets fair in motion
Stallholders are rejoicing as another carriage will be added to Pleasant Point Railway’s train to ensure social distancing for passengers so the Steam and Craft Fair can go ahead.
The annual fair is held on the Sunday and Monday of Labour Weekend.
Stalls organiser and handmade craft stallholder Claire Stephenson said it was a relief the fair was going ahead as so many events had been cancelled because of Covid-19 restrictions.
‘‘It is the first stall for me since this time last year. Everybody is very relieved.’’
So far 12 stallholders had booked and Stephenson expected a few late ones to sign up. She did not expect as many stalls or visitors as last year, when they’d had 20 stalls and about 450 visitors.
‘‘It’s a chance for everyone to get out and about. School fairs and car shows have been cancelled because they [organisers] thought they were too risky.’’
She said the fair would be all local stallholders selling a range of items including jewellery, wooden toys, stone work, corrugated iron craft, bags, signs, chopping boards and baking.
Pleasant Point Railway and Historical Society president Bryan Blanchard said the railcar would not be running as it only seated about a dozen people.
In its place would be the big AB699 with an extra carriage, so there would be plenty of space between passengers.
‘‘We have to cancel a few events over the school holidays. We have not been making money, but the bills keep coming in.’’
He said visitors and stallholders would have to wear masks and sign in.
‘‘We are not concerned about numbers as people come in dribs and drabs. We don’t get 100 people at one time.’’
The Pleasant Point Railway and Historical Society Steam and Crafts Fair runs from 10.30am till 4pm on Sunday and Monday.