April Newsletter

I hope you, like me eagerly anticipate each BCM. Marketeers and vehicles of all sorts and description move through the various gates in procession met and directed by capable staff to allocated sites where the setup begins. Invariably a lot of catching up, meeting of new neighbours, ‘mentoring’, and assorted hilarity takes place during all of this process until finally our Market appears; a splendid end result of everyone’s collaborative effort.
What strikes me other than the physical presence of the Market ‘dressed for company’ is the manner and spirit in which the BCM is conducted with mutual courtesy and respect extended by you to everybody, each week I’m made aware of random and specific acts of kindness and service too fellow Marketeers and visitors by you & our BCM Staff. It’s striking because those qualities are (sadly) not readily present in the world outside the Market nor are positive stories - well done you were obviously all brought up well.
Many thanks for keeping off the footie pitch and the quick exit last month. The changeover was pretty seamless and BVDRLFC fixture went ahead without problems. There is no game this afternoon but Sunday is, so DO NOT drive on to the Football field.
As I write, forecasts for the district predict rain. We’ve included an ‘all you need to know’ section on this very subject. The Rain the Park (& other things) recommended reading. For any further information on BCM you could enlighten yourself on all aspects of our Market with a visit to www.bellingenmarkets.com.au which leads remarkably to our next topic for your consideration.
Our new web site is already serving its purpose and continues to be a work in progress as we develop the site and its potential. As well, a number of requests from folk wanting to link their web sites to it have been received. Such requests which can be sent to our current email address markets@bellingen.com however as an interim policy Permanent Stallholders will be able to make a reciprocal link while any other requests will be considered on merit for a non-reciprocal link.
Next month our May 17th BCM again becomes the focal point for our Community to get together (again) with a common purpose, Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea. Active local groups and organisations have come to the party offering various and plentiful scones and cakes, served with tea or coffee under one of several community sourced pavilions (ok, pop-ups). All credit is due for the co-ordination and execution to Bellinger Shire Councillor, Kerry Child who unhesitatingly agreed to take it on when this was suggested. A fund raiser for the Australian Cancer Council, it was their Ted Greenwood who was practically supportive of the whole idea. The Cancer Council had applied to do a Market as Community Group and swapped places with Fernmount FRB enabling us to coincide with our May BCM. And this will make you feel good; the music students of Bellingen High School have stepped up in support to supply the day’s entertainment. These young people offer some exceptional talent amongst their members and in the various groups, ensembles and soloists scheduled to perform. From classics to contemporaries, you will be impressed! This is a 100% effort to raise funds and awareness in the effort against this disease. A life affirming celebration, a fun day and a practical and positive outcome in a worthy cause, I know each Marketeer here will support us to put the word out in support.
We warm up April with an Entertainment Stage first. Two fine acts alternate performances; Glenn Heath & Raw Sauce channel the blues from the old school touching down at other genres for effect and alternating musical duties performed by Juzzy Smith soloist, vocalist multi instrumentalist and absolutely must hear. Juzzy’s busking for his crust and both acts have CDs (Glenn’s solo album just out).
Finally big thanks to the Scotchman RFB (& cavalry) our Community Group this month, they jumped in at the last minute when the scheduled group had to bail out. They can be found on the gates bucket in hand, why not give a customer or two a small coin discount providing they put it in the Comm. Groups bucket. That sort of thing sends people away knowing that they have just been to the BCM not just a marketplace but a great place to be. Have a great one!
I hope you, like me eagerly anticipate each BCM. Marketeers and vehicles of all sorts and description move through the various gates in procession met and directed by capable staff to allocated sites where the setup begins. Invariably a lot of catching up, meeting of new neighbours, ‘mentoring’, and assorted hilarity takes place during all of this process until finally our Market appears; a splendid end result of everyone’s collaborative effort.
What strikes me other than the physical presence of the Market ‘dressed for company’ is the manner and spirit in which the BCM is conducted with mutual courtesy and respect extended by you to everybody, each week I’m made aware of random and specific acts of kindness and service too fellow Marketeers and visitors by you & our BCM Staff. It’s striking because those qualities are (sadly) not readily present in the world outside the Market nor are positive stories - well done you were obviously all brought up well.
Many thanks for keeping off the footie pitch and the quick exit last month. The changeover was pretty seamless and BVDRLFC fixture went ahead without problems. There is no game this afternoon but Sunday is, so DO NOT drive on to the Football field.
As I write, forecasts for the district predict rain. We’ve included an ‘all you need to know’ section on this very subject. The Rain the Park (& other things) recommended reading. For any further information on BCM you could enlighten yourself on all aspects of our Market with a visit to www.bellingenmarkets.com.au which leads remarkably to our next topic for your consideration.
Our new web site is already serving its purpose and continues to be a work in progress as we develop the site and its potential. As well, a number of requests from folk wanting to link their web sites to it have been received. Such requests which can be sent to our current email address markets@bellingen.com however as an interim policy Permanent Stallholders will be able to make a reciprocal link while any other requests will be considered on merit for a non-reciprocal link.
Next month our May 17th BCM again becomes the focal point for our Community to get together (again) with a common purpose, Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea. Active local groups and organisations have come to the party offering various and plentiful scones and cakes, served with tea or coffee under one of several community sourced pavilions (ok, pop-ups). All credit is due for the co-ordination and execution to Bellinger Shire Councillor, Kerry Child who unhesitatingly agreed to take it on when this was suggested. A fund raiser for the Australian Cancer Council, it was their Ted Greenwood who was practically supportive of the whole idea. The Cancer Council had applied to do a Market as Community Group and swapped places with Fernmount FRB enabling us to coincide with our May BCM. And this will make you feel good; the music students of Bellingen High School have stepped up in support to supply the day’s entertainment. These young people offer some exceptional talent amongst their members and in the various groups, ensembles and soloists scheduled to perform. From classics to contemporaries, you will be impressed! This is a 100% effort to raise funds and awareness in the effort against this disease. A life affirming celebration, a fun day and a practical and positive outcome in a worthy cause, I know each Marketeer here will support us to put the word out in support.
We warm up April with an Entertainment Stage first. Two fine acts alternate performances; Glenn Heath & Raw Sauce channel the blues from the old school touching down at other genres for effect and alternating musical duties performed by Juzzy Smith soloist, vocalist multi instrumentalist and absolutely must hear. Juzzy’s busking for his crust and both acts have CDs (Glenn’s solo album just out).
Finally big thanks to the Scotchman RFB (& cavalry) our Community Group this month, they jumped in at the last minute when the scheduled group had to bail out. They can be found on the gates bucket in hand, why not give a customer or two a small coin discount providing they put it in the Comm. Groups bucket. That sort of thing sends people away knowing that they have just been to the BCM not just a marketplace but a great place to be. Have a great one!

The gods are good to us every 3rd Saturday of the month not having to cancel a Market for over 10 years. If the 3rd Saturday of the month BCM is postponed it is not cancelled but it is held again on the following Saturday.
If a BCM is postponed Casual AND Permanent stall holders alike must then call the office on the Monday following the cancelled BCM and rebook or in the Permanents instance advise if they are attending. If that rescheduled BCM fails to proceed then that months BCM is then totally cancelled and we start as usual the following month.
BCM is an all weather Markets and will proceed despite rain or inclement conditions, providing that by going ahead with the Market we are not damaging the park grounds and with all consideration to public and OH&S.
If several days of rain make it obvious we would be working in a quagmire then we have the luxury of being able to evaluate conditions and advise in advance; this has never been the case. More usually the deluge is a matter of days before, in which case the ground is examined on the morning of the Market and the decision made then. That decision is ultimately mine but is taken in consultation with committee and staff, and taking into consideration traders resolve and will be announced to waiting queues by (no later than) 7am. If a Market goes ahead on an inclement day all fees and payments are due. Should a trader choose not to attend that BCM all fees and payments remain due and will be collected at the following Market. Further, more detailed information is available by picking up a copy of the Postponement/Cancellation Policy from the Info Tent or on our web site www.bellingenmarkets.com.au