NEW! Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market

Have you been to the new Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market yet?

The next market is on Saturday the 12th of December 2015 from 10am to 2pm, on Brownhill Road, at Age Concern Centre in Chandler’s Ford.

I visited the second Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market last Saturday morning, and was hugely impressed.

There were 12 stalls, including a traditional fresh food and vegetable stall. Other stalls included fine hand-made cards, pottery, textile, wood craft, soap, clocks and jewellery.

I bought fresh eggs and vegetable from Tom’s Fresh Food stall. Tom and Tris are from Gosport.

Artist and designer Sarah Jane Brain, from Sarah Jane Brain Designs, and her friend Pauline Wilson were together selling their own hand-made cards.

Sarah Brain studied Fine Art at Winchester School of Art. She describes her work as “a reflection upon the fragility and significance of life.”

Since 2014 she has been working with the Alzheimer’s society, leading an art group for people with dementia.

Romsey Flower Club also brought their Christmas decoration to Chandler’s Ford. The group meets on the second Wednesday in the month at 7pm at North Baddesley Village Hall.

To join the group and share their passion for flowers, visit the Facebook page of Romsey Flower Club.

Caroline, who also runs Oaktree Cattery from Southampton, showed a variety of handmade creations. At her stall, you could buy beautiful cards, fabric gifts and festive decorations.

Jeff Parsonson is from Bishopstoke. Jeff makes stunning creative wood decorations and toys, and you could read about his passion for woodwork published on Chandler’s Ford Today.

Chris Rennalls makes pretty and practical household bags, and also unique ladies accessories. I love the charming themes that she found for her fabric. Could anyone not like the dog, owl, sheep, and elephant designs?

Ceramic artist Jenny Lewis showed us her wonderful pottery creations. Jenny Lewis makes stoneware, pottery, bowls, mugs and vases, with food-safe glazes.

These functional items also reveal a true sense of artistry and aesthetic. Of course they make excellent gifts.

Diane Allen’s handmade soap and jewellery were very popular. Her jewellery is made with glass beads, semi precious stones and fresh water pearls.

Phillip Troughton had a stall with homemade cakes, and Aunty Flo’s Preserve. He also made cards and some quirky gifts.

One item at Phillip’s stall was a framed Star Wars collectible. I asked him if he sells Doctor Who items, as my son is a Doctor Who fan.

Phillip then told my son an ‘interesting fact’. “My surname is Troughton,” he said.

Phillip told my son that Patrick Troughton, who played the Second Doctor, was his late uncle.

This connection made the conversation very interesting afterwards.

Steve Allen: organiser of Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market

The organiser of this fab market is Steve Allen.

Steve told me he has lived in the Eastleigh area all his life, firstly in Bishopstoke, then Eastleigh and now in Chandler’s Ford in the last year.

Steve once worked in Eastleigh Railway Works as a toolmaker but once it closed he took up his love in tennis to become a coach at Hiltingbury and Knightwood.

Steve also loves making crafts with his wife Diane – making soaps, jewellery and other crafts.

He wants to help his wife Diane selling her handmade crafts, so he came up with the idea of organising a local market in Chandler’s Ford.

Steve said, “When I had the idea of opening such a market I realised the first thing I had to do was to get the right mix of people to come in with me. This did not take long as I knew the type of stall holders who would be able to make this venture a success.”

“I feel if you treat people with respect then their friendship would be the bond to make it happen.”

Steve would like to run another seven or eight markets next year, or once a month.

At the entrance to Age Concern Centre, Steve and his great friend Terry welcomed visitors. Each visitor was given a free raffle ticket, with a chance to win £5 in their next market.

I like this marketing idea, and it made visitors happy and feeling warmly welcomed.

This market is for the community, and each stallholder shares the cost of hiring the venue and expenses (such as advert). The cost is very low (around £5) for each stallholder, for 4 hours’ trading on a Saturday.

Steve told me his aim of organising a local market in Chandler’s Ford is simply to support traders, to bring the best products to Chandler’s Ford, so that local traders and crafters can meet their customers.

Steve makes this Produce and Craft Market cosy. Inside the hall, there was also a small seating area where you could sit down with friends and enjoy tea and cake.

To find out more about the Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market, visit its Facebook page: Chandler’s Ford Produce & Craft Market.

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