General News
26 March, 2024
Cracking success with rebirth of Lions market
THE monthly Lions market roared back to life on the lawns of Inglewood Town Hall. Stallholders from across the district backed the market’s return while a roving crowd wandered from Brooke Street to buy local produce and crafts. “The music from...
THE monthly Lions market roared back to life on the lawns of Inglewood Town Hall.
Stallholders from across the district backed the market’s return while a roving crowd wandered from Brooke Street to buy local produce and crafts.
“The music from members of the Goldfields Music Club added to the great atmosphere and helped bring people to the town hall area,” said organiser Eddie Sydor.
Club members were pleased to have a dozen stalls for the first market in more than two years, among them Bridgewater pistachio grower Julie Hampson Patterson.
“I’ve been growing pistachio trees for 10 years but this is the first time I have sold the nuts at a market,” she said.
“The first 17 trees were brought from Gol Gol (near Mildura) and I went back and got another 17 the next year.
“They have taken time to mature ... the crows got the nuts last year.”
However, 2024 have been a good harvest for Julie.
“March is harvest time and it’s been good so far for the small orchard,” she said.
“Everything is hand-picked and they have to be taken off the trees within a couple of days of husking. Then they lay out in the sun to dry for two days before being roasted.
“Of course, as that’s happening there’s a bit of quality control as I sample the nuts.”
Julie said the market coinciding with harvest had been ideal to make her stallholder debut.
“In the past I have been giving them away to family and friends,” she said.
Glenalbyn’s Monique Ward had her spinning wheel in action, turning fleece into knitting wool while Eddie Sydor was wearing two hats at the market. He is also a member of the Bendigo Gem Club that was part of the array of stalls.
“The lawn area is fantastic for the market. People can wonder the stalls and then sit and relax listening to live music,” Eddie said.
Lions club members were also busy with their barbecue.
The market will be held on the third Saturday of the month.
“We’re hoping for even more stallholders next month to build on the successful return of the market,” Eddie said.
“Everyone has enjoyed the variety of stalls and the new location.”