A DETERMINED effort is being made to establish a country market in Larne.
The first in what is hoped will be a series of sales of home produce, arts and crafts takes place in the town hall this Saturday (August 2) between 11.30am and 1.30pm. If all goes according to plan markets will be held there on the first and third Sa
turdays of every month.
It's the first time in some years that a country market has been attempted in the town and Barbara Sterling, who has been instrumental in planning the latest venture, is confident it will be a success.
"I wanted to join a country market and discovered that the closest one to Larne was in Ballymena," said Barbara, whose stall will be laden with home-baked goodies.
"They suggested, why didn't we start one in Larne and that's what we did."
A 12-strong membership is busy preparing for the inaugural market at which items for sale will be as diverse as home-baked bread and cakes, jewellery, knitted clothes, handbags, dolls, cards and even Christening gowns.
And the stall holders hope more like-minded people will be encouraged to join them when they see what's on show.
Country markets are not for commercial concerns. "It's for people with hobbies who want to turn their hobby into a wee bit of money," said Barbara.
The markets are organised and run by the producers under the umbrella of the non-profit-making Country Markets (NI) Ltd, which describes itself as "a community-based organisation which helps its members harness their domestic production skills for a small financial reward".
Membership costs £20 and vendors donate 10 per cent of proceeds to the organisation.
Anyone interested in joining the stallholders in Larne should ring Barbara on 2827 7726 or regional organiser Lucinda Hughes on 028 7962 8226 or 07761 361 405.
Further information can also be found on the website www.countrymarketsniltd.com
The full article contains 333 words and appears in Larne Times newspaper.
