Last month’s ‘Local Maker’s Market’, organised by NCDC’s Growing Local Northmavine project proved to be a success with over 300 visitors throughout the afternoon. A number of local producers and craft makers featured at the event, expressing interest at having such events again in the future.
Last month, NCDC’s ‘Growing Local Northmavine’ project partnered with the Hillswick Public Hall (SCIO) committee to organise a ‘Local Maker’s Market’ at the Hillswick Hall, along with a Sunday Teas takeaway.
A survey conducted by Growing Local in May had found that there was a desire within the community for events where folk could purchase local produce and crafts. Additionally, the lifting of some Covid-19 restrictions provided the opportunity for the hall to hold a Sunday Teas event for the first time since the start of the pandemic, albeit as a takeaway option.
The market event featured a range of local producers and craft makers, including Da Barn, Good Gub Soap, Esmé Wilcock Jewellery Made By Shetland, Island Larder – home of The Shetland Fudge Company, The Pottery, Linda Richardson, Lauren Ramsay, Whalsay Made, The Shetland Fairy, Kelly Robertson, and PWR Artisan Craft Designs – Shetland.
Growing Local also had a stall featuring a range of locally grown produce, Shetland kale seed packs, and Olach Designs’ beautiful Shetland Kale Beanie pattern. Additionally, food demonstrations were provided by Kirsty and Wills Sandilands, and live music was provided by the Northmavine Fiddle & Accordion Club.
Fortunately, the weather on the day was mild and sunny, and so tables and chairs were set up outside the hall so folk could enjoy their Sunday teas with a view over Ura Firth, whilst listening to some great live folk music.
The event exceeded all expectations, with up to an estimated 300 folk passing through the hall over the course of the afternoon. This included a great mix of local folk and tourists, creating a real buzz around the hall. Between Growing Local’s stall selling produce, and Kirsty Sandilands’ food demonstrations, a very respectable £205.67 was also raised for the Nort Trow Garden.
Furthermore, it was reported that there was a good amount of folk who combined their visit to the Local Maker’s Market with a trip around Northmavine, with the Seal Sanctuary, Hillswick Shop, Da Barn, and St Magnus Bay Hotel reporting high footfall on the day. Given the success of the event, there have been calls to hold the event again in the future.
Following the event, Growing Local project worker, Mark Ratter said “we would like to say a special thank you to the Hillswick Public Hall committee, Northmavine Fiddle & Accordion Club, and Rural Food Tourism Places for all their support. Thanks also to all stallholders, and folk who donated their fresh local produce to raise money for the Nort Trow Garden. And finally, a big thank you to everyone who attended the event, and for adhering to Covid-19 guidelines. We hope to see you at the next Local Maker’s Market!”
You can find more details about the Growing Local Northmavine project here: