New market in Wainfleet bringing community together

For years the Market Place has come alive on Friday mornings for Nayor's Auctions, but there has been a growing call for more stalls to be introduced.

That finally happened six weeks ago and, after a slow start due to bad weather, the autumn sunshine last week brought together a variety of traders to delight customers.

Mayor of Wainfleet Coun Deborah Wickes had been helping to set up since the crack of dawn and was delighted to see the variety of stalls - everything from household goods and plants to homemade handbags, cakes, candles, books, jewellery and cards.

In addition, the parish nurses were on had at the Wainfleet Methodist Church refreshments stand to engage with the community.

"It's great to see such a good turnout," said Coun Wickes. "We started six weeks ago but it's been slow because of the weather. Last week it was so windy we couldn't keep the gazebos up but we'll stick at it,"

Trader Kelly Daffin has supported the market with her household goods stall since the first week. "It's been good - I stock some items people haven't been able to buy locally," she said.

"Today is the best week so far."

For Julie Baxter of Country Bumpkins Nursery at Partney it was her first time at a market. "It's been good so far," she said. "Our nursery is open to the public and this is our first market, but we wanted to support the local community."

Rose Ellen Sews of Wainfleet St Mary was taking the opportunity to turn her hobby into a business, selling a range of handbags, wallets and even oven gloves. . "I'm retired now but always loved sewing," she said. "I've had quite a lot of interest so I'm keeping my fingers crossed."

Bargain hunters were heading for Roger Bennet's £1 stall, selling everything from DIY items to stationary. "It's early days yet but the market is picking up. We just need more people to know about it."

Sophie Kirby lives locally and only sold her Bespoke L.O.X crafts online until she heard about the market. "I was always making things at home and my husband suggested I should try and sell them," she said.

"The jewellery I make is really expensive to buy in shops and I'm already planning for Christmas. I think my Christmas Eve boxes for children will be popular."

There was a beautiful aroma coming from the Moonyean candles stall. Donna Baldwin of Skegness said she usually trades at bigger markets but likes to support local events.

"There just aren't enough craft markets in Lincolnshire for one thing," she said. "Because of Covid we need to bring life back into the community and the fact Wainfleet is doing this made me want to support it."

Catering for people's sweet tooth was Carole Goulding of Grandma's Puddings. "I've been here from the start and it's been great," she said. "People have been contacting me online and popping along to pick up orders. The market seems to be growing which will be good for us all."

Offering something for the younger generation was Marie Schofield of Birches Book Corner, with a variety of books, jigsaws and activities for children. "This is a new venture for me and it's going very well," she said. "I live here and have two children in school so it fits in really well."

Seeing the community come together has been a delight for Susan Alldread and her team from Wainfleet Methodist Church. "It's been wonderful," she said. "A lot of enderly people have come out to have a look round and sat on the benches chatting.

"We also have out community nurses here to support them. People seem to be enjoying it."

Delighted with how the market is progressing is Coun Wendy Bowkett. "This is what residents told us they wanted and we are working hard to make it happen.

"We have a good variety already and we hope to add bread and vegetable stalls soon. We just need the community to support us now."

Customer Tricia Clark, of Wainfleet, was coming away with a handful of bags. "I've got flowers, some household goods and I've ordered two handbags," she said. "I always like to shop local and this is great."

SHOP LOCAL, STAY SAFE, BE KIND

Wainfleet Market is supported by a new East Lindsey District Council initiative, designed to promote and champion town centres as safe places to shop and visit.

Shop Local, Stay Safe, Be Kind aims to encourage residents and visitors alike to safely rediscover the district's market towns.

The campaign seeks to raise awareness of our district's local shops, stimulate support for each town's high street and make finding information on businesses new Covid-19 safety measures easy and simple to do.

Louth, Horncastle, Alford and Spilsby will also benefit from their own dedicated social media pages. The Love Louth, Love Spilsby, Love Alford and Love Horncastle accounts will bring residents and visitors news on events, inspiration for shopping, special offers and guidance on staying safe. The accounts can be found on Facebook and Instagram; key information relating to the campaign will also be hosted on the Love Lincolnshire Wolds website - www.lovelincolnshirewolds.com

Councillor Adam Grist, Portfolio Holder for Market Towns and Rural Economy, said: "Our independent businesses and thriving high streets are the life blood of our market towns. Many of our businesses have gone to extraordinary lengths to continue trading during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We recognise their dedication, and now want to help raise awareness our town centres are open for business and safe to visit.

"Working with our businesses to promote the way in which they've adapted their trading practices to be COVID-19 secure and push the message to Shop Local, Stay Safe and Be Kind, we can help visitors and residents safely return to our towns with confidence."

If businesses would like more information on how to get involved they can contact, Samantha Phillips on [email protected], or get in touch through the social media pages.

The Shop Local, Stay Safe, Be Kind project is funded by the Government's Reopening High Streets Safely Fund which is enabling councils across England to support the safe reopening of high streets and other commercial areas. Funding will allow local authorities in England to put in place additional measures to establish a safe trading environment for businesses and customers, particularly in high streets, through measures that extend to the end of March 2021.