The triannual Sharrow Vale Market took place on 19 April and was packed with guests and locally owned businesses, selling everything from beer to arts and crafts and more.
Organised by volunteers from the Sharrow Vale Community Association (SVCA), the market hosts around 100 stalls and is a staple in the communities it supports.
One business captured the attention of passers-by with its surprising name that forces you to do a double take: Sometimes I Wet My Plants.
Founded by Claire Shepherd, 49, Sometimes I Wet My Plants is a creative name for her business that sells house plants, air plants and terrariums.
She said: “I quit my stressful job two years ago and decided to do something I loved instead.
“The ethos is low maintenance hence the name because I only need to wet my plants sometimes.
“Sharrow Vale is my absolute favourite market. The vibe and atmosphere is fabulous, and I get to meet and chat to lots of people.
“It’s lovely to see familiar faces who we’ve met at markets before.”
The boom of small businesses and community markets could be due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sky News reported a record number of new business start ups during the lockdown of 2021, and community markets have been excellent places for such businesses to thrive since then.
Faye Waple, the creative behind Au Faye, a business that sells ‘hand painted delights’, has had a similar journey.
She said: “Like many people, lockdown gave me the time to start painting again, inspired by what was around me in my garden.
“I began creating bright and bold watercolours full of character and humour, and that’s when I got the idea to start my own business.
“I’ve been lucky enough to trade at Sharrow Vale market before, and had an excellent day trading there last week, selling face-to-face, chatting with customers, and talking about my work.”
However, such markets could not take place without the volunteers behind them, and attendees and stall holders flooded to social media with praise after the event.
Waple said: “The team behind Sharrow Vale market do a fabulous job organising the event.
It’s fantastic to see funds from the market going back into the local area and supporting the community.”
The featured images were provided by Shelley Cockayne from the SVCA and Claire Shepherd, the owner of Sometimes I Wet My Plants.