Sunday Market hits 10th anniversary

November marks the 10th anniversary of Whangamata Sunday Market, started in 2011 by Suzanne Clegg and Ana Fryer.

“From our humble beginnings at the community church to our current location in the TCDC carpark, we have been able to keep going through the generosity of many.”

During this period the tide of stallholders and customers has ebbed and flowed and at times it has been a battle to keep the momentum and interest alive.

“We feel very strongly that every town needs a heart or hub, and it is with this in mind that we have persisted

through sometimes difficult circumstances. We’ve kept the

stallholder fees low so that everyone can take part and tried hard to hold true to our philosophy of ‘second-hand, home-made and home-grown’.

“Being a social meeting place, we have our regular loyal ‘customers’, who we treasure, and have seen our share of laughter, arguments and spontaneous family reunions. We’ve heard about people’s arthritis, hernias, hearts, births, deaths and marriages and they’ve heard about ours!

“We’ve had buskers and bagpipes, crooners and strummers, not forgetting the “finger-pickin’ preacher”. “There have been battles with rules and regulations and we’ve felt unsupported at times. Then miracles happen and suddenly all is well again.

“Our vision has always been to support our town, from the well-off to the destitute, the tourists and the visitors. Through this vision we have been privileged to be able to donate over $10,000 of stallholder fees to over 20 different community groups.

“Hopefully there will be many more. We thank everyone for their support and look forward to another 10 years. We’re on weekly now until the end of April 9am and 1pm.”

Phone Suzanne on 022 651 2250.