Sunday stroll at the beachfront market

On Sunday at about lunchtime, the Damselfly and I headed down to the beachfront for a walk along the stalls at the Kings Beach Fleamarket.  I'm sure many will agree with me that the flea market isn't what it used to be anymore, BUT... and I have to add this as a counter for everybody who keeps saying that going to walk at the flea market is a total waste of time.  Taking a walk through the flea market still is a very enjoyable thing to do, especially on a nice sunny day.  There are so many other markets selling handmade items these days that it really doesn't matter to me what is being sold.  In actual fact, the Kings Beach flea market is ideal for visiting international tourists to pick up some African craft, gifts and souvenirs to take home.  

Kings Beach market

Last Sunday we went for a walk along the Kings Beach Flea-market.  Something we haven't had time for on a Sunday for quite a while.  Although you can still pick up a few very nice things for gifts and souvenirs (and there were a few tourists and locals doing just that), it really isn't what it used to be a few years ago.  Such a pity really as it's always been a very popular family pastime to go for a walk at the market on a Sunday and many people still do.  It's just not quite the same anymore.

Kings Beach flea market

Every Sunday the walkway next to Marine Drive at Kings Beach get turned into the Kings Beach Fleamarket.  The market is a mixture of hand made goods, African craft and curious and fong kong sunglasses, bags, wallets and clothing.  The perfect spot for a Sunday morning walk and a bit of shopping. 

Art in the Park stall

If it's the last Sunday of the month it means that its time for Art in the Park and when the weather is beautiful then it is the perfect excuse for a Sunday morning outing to St Georges Park.  I have to admit that Art in the Park isn't anywhere close to what it used to be, but it doesn't mean that people support it any less.  I did hear two stall holders chatting about the fact that there are lots of people looking but not many buying which is clearly a sign of the times.

Sunday at Art in the Park

The weather was perfect on Sunday morning and we decided to pop down to Art in the Park at St Georges Park.  In the past the market was all about home- and hand made items, but over the last couple of years less stall holders kept on coming back due to dwindling support.  This forced the organisers to also allow bric and brac stall holders to start selling their wares at Art in the Park.  I do find the bric and brac stalls very interesting though as you are always likely to stumble on a book or item that you want even though you may not necessarily need it.  On this Sunday there were lots of people about which makes it an even greater pity that there isn't as many hand made stalls as in the past anymore.

Art in the Park

In August last year I did a post on Art in the Park that takes place in St Georges Park every first Sunday of the month. Gavin Tonks, the founder of Art in the Park, commented on the post and gave some information on how it started. Seeing that this weekend has the first Sunday of the month and that Art in the Park will be taking place, I thought I would post Gavin's comment.

Gavin Tonks said ...
"I actually started Art in The Park in 1977 with the Autum festival which ran for one week and it was only under the old St Georges Cricket stand pavilion, it proved popular and we did it again the following year.

I had to get special permission to trade on a Sunday and we put it under the auspices of the EPFSA Eastern province Fine Art Society and the then treasure Jerry Boulton.

I managed to get permission to run it on the First Sunday of the month which was my slogan , as it was too complicated to put up dates.

I started it with 5 crafters, pebble people, a macrame person [think it was Mrs Shepard], a potter Mrs Zeelie,Mrs Deysel who crocheted spanish dolls and a toy maker renet Bray I think was her name plus the art and craft stuff I brought along, and my accountant Edna Williams who did the books and made sure everyone was paid.

It grew over the years and many people earned a living from the Park and gave up full time employment as they only needed the one sale day to generate sufficient income, [between the 80s to the 90s]

There was much controversy the traders who came later had as much right to sell as it came down to what people bought as no sales, the person did not come back so the very people of PE made the park what it is or was.

The popularity made the council spend money from the bequeathed estate [name eludes me but I think they put up a plaque] to upgrade the paths and fix up the flower beds and the old band stand

There was a City Councilor at the time and the City Parks director and Clayton Halliday who supported me on the venture and assisted me to get the permits and stuff to trade,I was 18 at the time and enjoyed wonderful support from the Editor of the Herald and the other Old Newspapers the Weekend Post and the Evening Post and the Afrikaans daily as well.His name also eludes me but they all got behind me to make it happen.

It took almost 3 years to get the project up and running and another 2 years before it became entrenched as a Sunday outing where half of PE would come and see what was going on.

Many people had an affordable way to sell their goods I think the first months I charged R10.00 a day for the stall, and all the money went to the EPFSA plus I instituted a bursary scheme from the profits as part of the deal with them., I do not know how many students have benefited from it, as I left the association and the Park because I actually never made a cent out of my creation."

Marmalade

I popped down to the Schoenmakerskop village market last weekend to stock up on my favorite marmalade. I don't like the normal bitter marmalades and the lady who has this specific stand has a couple of sweet marmalade varieties in addition to the bitter ones. Suddenly I feel like toast and marmalade...

Schoenies market

We popped into the Schoenmakerskop Flea Market this morning for a quick squize. Its not one of those big markets but something a little bit more intimate. This one particular stall had a huge range of jams, preserves and pickled items at the most unbelievable prices. Usually you would pay about R20 or R25 for a bottle of jam. This guy was selling them for about R12 (not even $2 US) each. Needles to say, my mom who was visiting for the weekend took about 8 different jams while the Damselfly also took a couple. Next month we'll pop in again to restock the supply.

More Wholesome Market

Yesterday I posted a pic of one of the food stalls at this weekend's Wholesome Market. Today I want to add a pic taken inside the craft tent at the market. The crafts where mostly handmade stuff ranging from jewelry and clothes to toys and Christmas decorations.

Wholesome Market

This weekend the Wholesome Market took place for the first time at Holmeleigh Farm out on Kragga Kamma Road. The Wholesome Market takes place every first weekend of the month and after getting too big for their previous venue at Sherwood Garden Centre, the organisers decided to move to the open piece of land next to Holmeleigh Farmyard. For me the Wholesome Market has become the new Art in the Park, but without all the junk stalls. The organisers have put together an awesome variety of stalls ranging from arts and crafts and home made furniture to fresh produce, milk, bread, and baked goods.

For more information, go to Wholesome Market. The organisers can be contacted at wholesomemarket@gmail.com, Phone: +27 (0)41 3662257 or Mobile: +27 (0)84 4309684.

Govan Mbeki Road traders

About a year or so ago the municipality had the top section of Govan Mbeki Road (previously Main Street) up to the City Hall developed into a pedestrian walkway with stalls and space for street traders to work from. The actual street is now a one lane one way towards the City Hall just behind the traders (towards the right hand side of the photo). A lot of the stalls are still empty, but there is loads of potential for the area to become not just a market for locals, but also for tourists visiting the historic heart of the city.

St Albans Farmers Market

Every Saturday there is a Farmers Market at the Van Stadens Dutch Reformed Church in St Albans west of Port Elizabeth. You will find everything from fresh vegetables to home made biscuits and knitted toys. The most popular stall must be the one selling farm breakfasts. Bacon, egg, sausage, onions and toast for R20. A real bargain. If you don't feel like bacon and eggs, try the sosatie rolls at the stall next door. Yum!