Ron Ashford uses his stall at the market to inform people about his furniture restoration, repair and custom build business which he has set up in Dannevirke.
Ron Ashford uses his stall at the market to inform people about his furniture restoration, repair and custom build business which he has set up in Dannevirke.
The enticing aroma of food wafting through the air, the sound of exotic African djembe drums and the buzz of bargain hunters signalled Dannevirke's second successful Country Carnival Market on Saturday.
The weather was perfect and 47 stall-holders had flocked to the market to attract shoppers with everything from handcrafts,jams, jellies, baking, organic vegetables and clothing. And if you needed a pencil-portrait Judy Giddens was there to do that as well.
"She's not bad. Just a couple of lines and you can see who she's drawing straightaway," one impressed bystander said.
Daphne Miller, market organiser (in purple), and assistant Kathryn Mulinder (in blue) take part in the tug of war.
But it is the entertainment and activities which sets the market apart, Kathyrn Mulinder says.
"There's a wonderful turnout and once the truck-pull got started there were plenty of enthusiastic people ready to give it a go," she said. "It's the entertainment which makes this market special."
The number of stallholders had increased dramatically since the first market last month and a newcomer, landscape gardener Sue Buchanan, said she hoped the success continued.
Sue Langridge, a first time market stall-holder was crocheting as she waited for customers
"There are lots of people here and I hope this market carries on. It isn't really the right time of the year for perennial plants at the moment, but I feel I've got to support the market anyway."
Another first time stallholder, Sue Langridge, was delighted with the large crowd.
"I'll just see what happens, but I'm quite confident."
Malcolm Robins' tonic syrup infused with cinchona, citrus and juniper was a popular taster for many.
"It's the tonic syrup you can have without gin and it makes a fantastic hot toddy," he said.
Selling like hot cakes were Melanie Silver's delicious donuts filled with custard and berries, chocolate or bacon and maple syrup.
Daphne (Miller is determined to keep the focus of the market local, the success, just two markets in, is a dream come true.
"I've had people coming up to me in the street asking for a stall.
"There are plenty of local crafters and groups keen to fundraise so we can only get bigger."
The market is a bonanza for local organisations fundraising, something Pastor Greg Motu of the Hosanna Baptist Church appreciates. Manning a stall with his mother-in-law, Elaine Farr, and young David Irwin, Pastor Greg is fundraising for the youth of Dannevirke to be able to attend a camp at Manfeild in Feilding next Easter, along with 1600 other young people.
"We'll be here every month until then, selling our cakes, jams and jellies donated by our community," he said.
For artisan woodworker Ron Ashford, the market is more about spreading the word of his business, rather than making sales.
"I've had locals bring furniture in need of repair and a spruce up after they've met me at the market and I'm currently working on a large piece for someone at Weber," he said.
"This is a real country market and the customers are different from the urban ones who attend the Martinborough Fair."
