PENNARD COMMUNITY COUNCIL

For all who read the 2008 Newsletter from our Community Council, you will have (I hope) read the article about the newest committee which has been formed -  and that is the "Environment Committee" (Chaired by Helen Langford). With a remit to explore ways of improving our local environment and to raise awareness of environmental issues within the local community, its biggest item on the agenda has been setting up a regular Produce Market in the Community Hall. A “pilot” market was arranged to be held on Sunday 12th October (9.30 am to 12.30 pm) so all were advised that to come along and find out, and see exactly what a Produce Market is all about.

The following therefore, is just a snapshot (well, several of them actually!) of what was seen and experienced by the crowds who turned out for Pennard's first ever Produce Market.

After a couple of weeks of seeing a notice attached to the railings at the entrance to Pennard's School, Library, Surgery and Community Hall, proclaiming to all passers-by that there was to be a Produce Market held in the Community Hall, from 9.30am to 12.30am on Sunday 12 October 2008, the day itself arrived, and with it a lovely sunny morning. Although I wasn't able to get to the Community Hall before 10am, I was amazed to see so many people as I neared the Hall.  Local residents and others I'd not seen in the village before, walking away from the venue carrying many carrier bags, all full with their shopping.  In reply to a question as to whether they'd bought everything, their answer floated back on the morning air, "No, there's still plenty of stuff to buy!"

Outside, several people pressed close to see what the fishmonger had on his van (plenty of fresh and good- looking fish), and they were soon  buying his produce even before going into the main Hall.

	Inside, there were people everywhere!   Produce and Craft stalls were arranged all around the edges of the large Hall;
some with their backs to the walls and windows, whilst a second row of stalls were sited in the middle area  -  and what a range of goods and produce, with everything from apples to z.... (well, there might have been something beginning with 'z', but even if there wasn't, just about everything else was available).

Local fruit and vegetables, photographs, jewellery, and hand-made cards,   meat from Penclawdd, flower seeds, and last, but by no means least,  it was lovely to see the smiling face of the Law	woollen goods, other materials  and  cushions, fresh eggs, plants, more plants, home-made goods of just about every material, and shape, plus more jams, more cakes, and gifts, more lovely flowers, people buying, etc.	a good variety of cheeses, lovely chutneys, pickles, and jams, with much to tempt the taste buds, a wonderful selection of cakes, pies, soup, and lots more lovely things to eat! Everyone I spoke to said that the event was fantastic, and that they were really enjoying themselves (and from the size and quantity of the full baskets and carrier bags I saw, that must indeed have been the case). By 10.30am, one hour after the doors to the first Pennard Market had opened, lots of cars complete with passengers were still arriving, and even more people had taken advantage of the sunny and warm October morning to walk to the Community Hall.
Although within the packed and bustling Hall I only managed to have a chat with one member of Pennard Community Council  -   who fortunately turned out to be one of the members of the latter's new "Environment Committee", which had organised the Pennard Market   -  the enthusiasm for the event, as well as amazement at the number of those attending, reflected the comments of many sitting nearby and enjoying a cuppa, who had also noted the enthusiasm of everyone who'd come. Hopefully, although Pennard's first Produce Market  was, to the majority of those present, a runaway success (all credit being due to everyone who had organised everything, to all the stallholders, and to all who came), I and others' hope that the Pennard Produce Market will become a regular event  -   so here's to the next one!

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