"Butterfly Market"

Ashcombe Road Butterfly Market: the principle.

- Families on Ashcombe Road and Fraser Gardens, between the T-junction and the mini roundabout, have their garage/attic sale on the same day, at the same time.

-They share their spare space with nearby families : one stall per family, free of charge.

-Everybody sets up their own stall and shares rain gear independently between 9-30 and 10am. 

- We believe that it is win-win all around: the more participants, the better for the sellers and for the buyers; the more interesting items in each garden, the better for the host AND guest.

- We are all photocopying the same leaflet! people do their own advertisement as they see fit, (including social networks if they want) but each time, they are including the other families, since it is one same event. I'm doing mine with my own design which you can copy if you like, and distributing minicards as I would be if I was advertising my own solo garage sale. Feel free to do the same. People in the neighbourhood have my persmission to use my design and cartoon, and our "butterfly market concept". People outside the neighbourhood and any corporation or company: please check with us.

-The families are free to use the money earned from the sale as they see fit: for private purpose, for their favorite charity, as they like.

- You can enjoy taking part even if you don't sell that much, since it costs nothing to join and you'll see lots of people you know.

- At the moment we have 6 guest families joining so far for sure and another 5 or 6 are interested. So even if that was it, with us 12 hosts, and half a dozen guest stalls, it would already be a successful experiment: we are sharing space and joining forces.

- Kids can be in charge of their own stall alongside their parents, provided the parents are happy with it, and preset with the youngest ones, of course.

We don't know how big things are going to get on Saturday 30th: the concept is pretty new. But it is very simple. And it can grow as we all get to know more people in our neighbourhood. It can be repeated in any neighbourhood, provided they get on well enough, right?

So it may be a humble beginning, or a big one, only Saturday will tell. But a few of us believe this will be a good way to build "resilience", to have some fun,  to  help keep a smile on our faces (and a few extra pounds in our wallets!) during this recession.

If the experiment works, we will be able to do it again, this time maybe with a dedicated toy/game area, dedicated book zone, plant nursery, etc. But again, that will be depending on participants wishes.

THEREFORE...

 

If you live in the immediate area: (Ranmore Road, Chalkpit Terrace, Fraser Gardens,

Station approach, Mason’s Paddock, Limeway Terrace, Ashcombe Road,

Chalkpit Lane or Yew Tree Road,

and would like to take part by having a stall along with us,

several of us have some space for more.

In that case, please get in touch as soon as possible, text or call (before Sunday 24th will allow us to advertise more accurate numbers of participants, as we'll print posters to put in shops in town)on 07563 955 103, as the space available is inevitably limited (although we’ll do

our best to share with as many neighbours as possible)

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Now, logistics and whatnot: 

 If you want to have a stall with us, here is the information and suggestions we could think of regarding the practical aspects:

- Please don’t come by car, or if you do, just do it  for drop off  at the start and pick up after the end: you won’t be able to park on that portion of road. Use push-chairs, trolleys, friends, wheel barrows, etc... We'll put information about where to do drop off's closer to the day. St Martin's school has kindly offered for participants to use their car park if it is too difficult otherwise. Let's do our best to leave them in peace, but it is good to know in case. We are grateful for that.

 
- Bring your own table/stall,  and your own rain protection if you can. If you have a good size gazebo you can bring and share, let us know.

- If you want to sell items or cakes to raise funds for your favorite charity, that is fine. Whatever you sell on the day, the money you make is yours. 

- Spread the word the best way you can to promote the event: tell your friends and family, mention it on facebook, photocopy the poster etc

- Start saving small change to not get caught short on the day.

- Also save plastic and other bags for buyers to carry their purchases.

- It will be more festive if we all wear bright coloured tops, use brightly coloured table cover etc.
- you can borrow bunting on the day: we do have loads now!

- If you have very few items to sell, let us know, we’ll match you with people in the same situation to optimise space.

- You can sell cakes if you like.

- If you have nothing as such you’d like to sell but want to: play music, do face painting for children, sell refreshments, let us know.

- The Road won’t be closed, so we need to take care and be aware of passing traffic.

About the butterflies: for an extra touch of colour

We will start preparing big decorative butterflies which each participant providing a garden or front yard towards this event can hang near their stall. That could look “awesome” on the day, as my children say. If you are feeling creative and can help with that, give us a ring: it's a lot of butterflies to create!