Events

Published on November 16th, 2019 | by Gaelle Finley

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HANDSWORTH’S COMMUNITY MARKET

We met Lynda McFarlane a few years ago, when she was running a small vegan pop-up restaurant in and around Handsworth. Small but well attended, the tables were full, and so were the customers who appreciated theĀ  lovingly created food and friendly service in homely surroundings. The food was so nice there was no need to be vegan or even vegetarian to enjoy it. The desserts in particular, were a hit.

So much so that when Lynda wrapped up the restaurant idea due to lack of amenities, she had the idea of concentrating on… her vegan puddings. The idea grew into the formation of Handsworth’s best kept little secret, the Earth Market.

This happens once a month (every 3rd Saturday of the month), and provides an outlet not just for her most wonderful cakes, but also for home made food, art and crafts, the Junk Food Project (where you get free food in exchange for a small donation if you can), fresh vegetables, local community and environmental groups, slimming clubs, spiritual stalls and workshops, anything and everything local.

Plus you get to sit down for a tea or coffee and watch the world go by with a friend or two, while getting serious with the cakes. Relationships are strengthened or made anew, the community feels vibrant, and you feel it really is the closest thing you can have locally to a French market.

Plans are afoot to extend the idea further by reviving the Handsworth Bazaar in the next room, which would make this event even more of a hub.

So all in all, thanks Lynda for sharing the inspiration – the Earth Markets have now expanded to Bearwood and Kings Heath. From small acorns…

The next Handsworth Earth Market will take place in St Andrews Sports and Community Centre (by the College Road roundabout) on Saturday 21st December. If you would like to share in the adventure, please email Lynda: market@veganvybes.co.uk.

Yes, a big slice of cake and ‘Slimming World’ on the table, why not?


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