Friday, 24 February 2017

Future of popular Barnard Castle table top and craft sale is in safe hands

THE future of a popular bi-monthly table top and craft sale has been secured after new volunteers came forward to run the event.
The sales take place on the first and last Saturdays of the month at the Parish Hall, Newgate, Barnard Castle.
Featuring a range of goods including cakes, plants, jewellery, books, bric-a-brac and collectables, the first sale of 2017 takes place on Saturday, February 25, starting at 9.30am.
After the previous organiser stepped down at the end of last year, jewellery maker Peter Blackmore and Mark Richmond, the “plant man”, stepped forward.
“All the stallholders got together and we got volunteered to take it over,” joked Mr Blackmore.
“Because it had been running for such a long time, it seemed a shame to let it die. It is an amenity for the town.
“There is a core of about eight to ten regular stallholders and then there are occasionals and anyone else who wants to try it.
“None of us do it for a living. We are mostly hobbyists.”
Mr Richmond added: “I only did it for a couple of times one summer to fill in, but you get hooked.”
The sale is run on a not for profit basis, with stallholders covering the costs of hiring the parish hall.
Mr Blackmore said: “We try to keep the variety of stalls and not have too much competition. If people fancy trying it out, they can have a table for one session to see how it goes.
“We also plan to have a table available for a local charity to use.”
Visitors are a happy mix of residents and visitors.
“We have some regular summer visitors who come along when they come to open up their caravans.
“Some people just pop in for a cup of tea and a chin wag,” added Mr Blackmore.
Anyone who would like more information about the sales or who is interested in taking a table can contact Mr Blackmore on 01833 638120.

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