Wheatsheaf Centre Craft Fayre

Wheatsheaf Centre Craft Fayre - Cath Turner at her jewllery stall

The Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre held their first craft fayre of the year today (Saturday 8 February) giving the opportunity to a number of crafters in Rochdale to sell their products to the general public.

The craft fayre originally started 15 months ago, has now become well established.

Martin Ballard, Centre Manager said: “We have a good four to six crafters at the minute who come along and get involved but we hope to expand and do more things at other fayres.”

Today’s fayre included a handmade card stall, handmade jewellery, balloons, handmade soap and home made pies. Activities for children, including face painting, glitter tattoos and balloon modelling.

Martin added: “We are trying to alter the fayres to the specific things going on so for Valentine's we had Romeo and Juliet walking
around and offering chocolates to people.”

The craft fayres are popular. Martin said: “We get people coming along and having a look and then they usually come back. They are really popular around Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and occasions like that.”

For the next craft fayre, which is planned for 22 March, the centre hope to expand what they are currently doing and hope to add
workshops and demonstrations by those holding stalls.

Cath Turner, who had a jewellery stall at today’s fayre, said: “I think the fayre is a good one. You get people coming and having a look and then you start to notice them coming back and buying things so it is good for repeat business.”

Carol Jackson, who was selling home made pies, said: “I hope to do it again because it has been good today.”