Blown Away

Last month I advised the presence of Jaydon Carter, Bellingen’s leading electrician and the gentleman that will be doing an audit of our power and will also be checking your electrical equipment and leads to ensure every one is tagged and suitably compliant to legal safety standards.
On the subject of safety I was told by one of our Permanent stallies of a nasty incident which happened at a recent northern market. An exploding gas bottle turned an otherwise lovely day into drama and injury for several people in the vicinity of the bottle. This could perhaps been avoided if the gas bottle had been checked and approved and injuries avoided if the food stall concerned had a fire blanket &/or extinguisher handy.

Proper safety equipment is the cost of doing that business. To avoid ruining a great day out please ensure you have such precautionary measures at hand and have your gas cylinders checked regularly.

Weather or Not

Yes we do go ahead in wet conditions.

We do not make a final decision on proceeding with a Market until 7am on the Market day unless, conditions prior to the Market day have been sufficient for that decision to be made earlier.

A Markets postponement depends solely on what damage going ahead will do to the Market Park, so its not what is happening from the sky but what is happening on the ground.

If a Market is postponed prior to the day announcements will be made via ABC mid north coast radio, 2BBB, 2CS, Star FM and on the Market office message bank. If postponed, the Market will be held on the next Saturday.

ALL stall holders (casual & permanent) must phone the Markets office to confirm their attendance on the Monday for that next Saturday. If that next Market is rained out then all bets are off and we forget that month and return to normal practise for the following month (i.e. casual bookings on the Monday prior to the 3rd Saturday).
For the official version we recommend you pickup a copy of Wet Weather Guidelines to avoid any confusion or disappointment.

March 2010 Newsletter

Welcome Marketeers! Our March BCM and only nine more to go until BCM celebrates 30 years of welcomes and countless marketeers & visitors.

We’ve put together a pretty full day for our visitors out for a BCM experience. Starting with you and the spectacular offerings you present to arrivals.
Our other entertainments include musical Mullumbimby madness from Broadfoot in their debut appearance at BCM. Baby boomers to youth will find something to like with the bands music which mines the musical influences from other times and transposes to the modern idiom.

We’ll be also be richly entertained by the multi talented pupils of Bellingen Public School. They’ll be presenting both a choral performance at 10am on the BCM stage as well as a later performance by their string ensemble. Maestro music teacher Elizabeth Scott has worn her baton to a nub polishing the schools musicians to a radiant musical lustre. Moreover this active local school has mucked together and grafted willing parents and teachers to perform as this month’s BCM Community Group. Well deserving of your encouragement and support try to find the time to catch just one piece and applaud with abandon or, by raffle ticket (great prizes!), or pop a glittering coin in their collection buckets; to be found strategically placed on all major gates.

Jack, with Molly the Wonder Dog! , will absolutely win over the crowds with their performances through the day. Molly was given special dispensation by Bellingen Shire Council to perform in recognition of her status as a professional canine performer, just so she could appear at our otherwise ‘No Dogs Allowed’ Market. With her partner Jack, this clever kelpie has been a ‘howling’ success as they busked from one end of the country to the other.

On now to more mundane matters items worthy of your attention to be found elsewhere on this page.
Today you’ll have been given (separately) your BCM Census form (finally). For more info read ‘BCM Census’.

If you are using electrical equipment at our Market it’s that time again. “What time?” I hear you think, time to read “Watts Up” it could save you a little or a lot of money.

Another money saver is the item headed “Food for Taught” and definite reading for any BCM food vendors.
At least three or four times a year comes I get a little query by phone or email from the same group of women asking to confirm our next BCM date. The ‘Port’ ladies are a mysterious group of women from Port Macquarie (I’m assuming it’s their location and not their preferred beverage.) who, in something approaching a traditional pilgrimage hire a bus and driver to spirit them to Bello to plunder our Market, and then away! If you encounter one of these women be sure to give them a big BCM welcome from us all and send them and the rest of the people you meet thinking (fondly) BCM - not just a marketplace but great place to be.

Food for Thought

There is good news on the food & hygiene front from Bellingen Shire Council (BSC). They will soon be announcing another opportunity to attain a safe hood handler’s certificate.

The course is scheduled for late April, but as yet no date. BSC & Shire Health Officer, Bill Fisher has in the interest of public safety priced it at an affordable $10(!) so consumers in Bellingen Shire can eat with total consumer confidence.

A timely reminder to Food stalls to display food handler and other relevant certifications prominently to satisfy BSC codes, our own BCM policy and your foods consumer.

If you have any queries on any food issues talk to me (Neil) first, we’ll discuss it or ask BSC for advice. For more info on the course call BSC (02) 6655 7300.

Market Census

This will be a valuable tool for the promotion of the BCM, giving us a definitive view of BCM.

We are after as much detail as you can provide. Any personal information e.g. names addresses phone and mobile numbers will be held in the strictest of confidence. This is a huge help when we or a prospective customer is wanting to contact you out of the Market. If you don’t want people referred on there will be that option, just mark it in the appropriate place.

We would like to get accurate and marketable information to be able to promote aspects of the BCM. Examples might be, knowing the distance from grower to outlet in the case of produce and given the increasing interest in ‘food miles’ and sustainability. Or perhaps you source all your ingredients from the area or you only use local organically grown products for your hot foods, preserves, jams etc. We’ll be asking the distance you travel to get here to get an updated picture of our coverage area. Please be accurate and honest with your answers so we can produce useable, factual figures when marketing BCM which in turn can only benefit you with even bigger visitor attendance.

Take your time to get it right and return forms at the April BCM or if you’re a Casual you can also return them next month if you get in, if not then please mail them on to us if you would be that kind.

Watts Up

Bellingen’s finest Electrician, Jaydon Carter is back with us at the April BCM. He’ll be testing and tagging electrical leads and helping us out with an audit on our power use. Jaydon regularly provides his services to ensure we are all compliant to OH&S standards.
One obvious requirement is that all electrical leads are tested and tagged. You can either have them tested & tagged before our April AGM or Jaydon will do the deed for a modest $5.
It is important you are aware that at any time should you be found to be operating with an out of date or unsafe lead it is our long standing policy to unplug you and stop your operation until you are compliant.

August 09 Newsletter

This August our BCM becomes ‘Le Hot Club du Bellingen’ and the epicentre of excitement on the 20th Bellingen Jazz & Blues Festival weekend. Once again the town has come together to support the Festival which has for all these years fortuitously and cleverly coincided with the BCM 3rd Saturday. It is a synchronistic ‘double act’ that has proven to be an irresistible ‘must do’ for day trippers and for the weekend Jazz & Blues devotees. Returning to the mix this year is the post-Market, BJ&BF Saturday Street Party. This will mean the main street being closed in the afternoon, more details in ‘Street Party Plans’.

The bridges are back and functioning!!! Rejoice! I know my aching feet will. Much thanks to Council who despite their still considerable work sheets, resulting from our series of flood events, completed the work a couple of weeks ago. Also thanks to the steadfast, loyal, and patient Marketeers who endured with patience and understanding.

August will see the fee increases we’ve been advising of over the past few newsletters. This is no reaction to any GDT (Global Down Turn) or a cynical revenue raising exercise. Given the several years without fee increases I know you will appreciate the fee adjustment is long over due and not an unreasonable amount.

BJ&BF Saturday Street Party starts at 5.30 going to 8.30 this will mean afternoon, main street road closures. To avoid traffic snarls and hassle see ‘Saturday Street Party’ for details.
Our Bellingen Valley & Dorrigo Rugby League Football Club (BVDRLFC) are at a critical point in their competition and will be on field here tomorrow in a crucial match to put them in contention for a place in the Top 4. There must be absolutely NO CARS ON the FOOTBALL FIELD, violation of this perpetual BCM policy will be fatal! If you don’t want to die or you have proximity to the field (e.g. E Section), make sure you read ‘Forbidden Zone’.

We will generate a lot of waste any time but it’s likely that today’s could be of mountainous proportions. Again your cooperation is vital and usually forthcoming however some stalls are still depositing rubbish anywhere. Read ‘Wasted’ for the detail.
Just briefly while on waste it is a condition of your trading here that you use only recyclable products (particularly food stalls - plates, utensils, cups etc.). Please ensure you maintain the practise. Disposable of such items soiled by food should be into the Green bins. It’s compost and cannot be recycled, moreover it increases our operating costs if recycling is rejected and charged as rubbish.

Market happenings, much like life and death keep happening. Sadly we were told of the passing of a genuinely nice man and Permanent Marketeer, Martin Nohilly. Martin was sited in A Section with his plants and Wollemi Pine. He attended spasmodically during his battle with a brain tumour returning a few months ago well and positive, so his sudden passing was a jolt and we extend our sympathies to his family and many friends.

Famous families (and characters) abound here at the BCM, take The Arkans. Now stars of a Sikh in Woopi and screened on ABC TV Compass programme. They were to be signing autographs from their food van but due to a death in John’s family they are observing custom. We will still have Indian food sans the Arkans and their autographs with Lesley Green doubling up to do her juice stall and help out her neighbours…thats why its BCM not just a marketplace but a great place to be.

Wasted
If you have cartons flatten them and leave by the large yellow recycling skips, just in from Park St gate in C Section. Bulk peels and other extraneous food/organic matter go in the large Green Skip. Nothing ever should go into the cylindrical brown Council bins. We endeavour to keep the large recycling and waste skips accessible until as late as possible. If on leaving you are unable to find the correct place to deposit your waste then please just take it with you. I’d like to show those attending the game here tomorrow that we take pride in caring for the Park, leaving it cleaner than we found.

Saturday Street Party
These streets will be closed this afternoon Hyde Street will be closed between Church St & Oak St, and Church St, north of Hyde St. If you aren’t staying for festivities you can turn west (to Dorrigo) on to Waterfall Way from Oak St. You can still turn right from Church St to head east on Waterfall Way (for the coast or Nth Bellingen). Recommend you take Ford or Prince St you avoid delays and do not take Crown St as it is still sporting a gorge as a result of the floods and remains impassable.

FORBIDDEN ZONES stallholders must not under any circumstances, at any time, or for any reason even put a wheel within 2metres of the marked lines of the football field. The northern end of the field behind the goal posts is marked with perimeter lines for tomorrow’s big game. If you are setting up there keep as far from the try line with the back of your stalls as close to the edge as is safe and when moving your car travel at a walking pace and avoid contact with painted lines and as close in to the area.

July 09 Newsletter

Welcome Marketeers! This month’s BCM has pounced upon us due to our regular 3rd Saturday in June postponed and rescheduled to the 27th June, and three weeks later here we are again.

I know anecdotally that those attending our rescheduled BCM thought it worth their effort and the crowds definitely were not disappointed by an under cooked soufflé, we looked ‘dressed for guests’ and it was a beautiful ‘vibe’ about the day.

As best we can estimate we last postponed a BCM back in the mid 90’s so we haven’t had such a bad run really. It was obviously quite some time ago because many forgot the procedure. For more on that aberration read “X FACTOR”.
Fee changes advised in May’s newsletter will begin as of our next BCM (15th August). Our last increase was back in January 2006, prior to that there had been 3 rises over 5 years and each time purely to meet rising insurance costs. So effectively we have been with out any increased revenue to meet actual operational and overhead costs which have significantly increased since 1996, if not 2006. Increases range from $2 - $3 on average. Turn over to see a comparative fee schedule.

Ironically given the above reference to operating costs, advice just received from Handybins and unknown when fixing the new fee structure could impact on us greatly if we aren’t diligent. Curious? Read, “WASTE NOT” for a cure.

We are without two of our three bridges for the fourth month in a row. I will at this point stress that any works undertaken within the precinct of the Park are solely the responsibility and concern of Council. And qualify that, by saying that this is a Shire’s community and council still visibly and actually experiencing the ravages and demands of 4 flood events in short succession and all that brings with it. My latest approach was by email to the Mayor and General Manager on the 13th July. The latter, Mike Colreavy replied to my email within 5 minutes. He wrote, “I will look into the matter you have raised and get back to you shortly.” I’ll withhold publishing this newsletter hoping to have the answer we all seek by print time. Mean time we will, with your cooperation and patience, make what adjustments we can and overcome this inconvenience and turn it to our advantage.

Now to other happenings items of interest. Importantly our burl carving bon vivant and recent absentee Colin is now at home and with family but still fragile according to reports. A speedy and complete recovery Col, old timber is tough stuff. The Knicker Parlor lady Rebecca isn’t here today but her knickers are (so to speak). She’s selling knickers to revelers at the famous Glastonbury Festival in the U.K. as well as at WOMAD. At BCM you can get the knickers sans Rebecca until our August outing. Flu has left us without several of our little Market mates today, speedy recovery to you all. Good news for Jane in B Section and vindication of the powers of positive thinking hers and yours. Both a happening and interesting is the Mary Snowball Puppet Show. Mary made her debut 30years ago at the BCM when she was 17 and we were still at Bellingen Showground. A puppeteer, an entertainer and an educator all rolled up into one little (Snow) ball. There are 3 free shows 9.30, 10.30 and 11.30 (approx), a delightful addition to a school holiday BCM for lovers of nursery rhymes and imagination. Delivering the entertainment is Lea Gillard. Her band, a tight, solid, foundation from where Lea’s vocals take flight, delivering the entertainment! Our Community Group are some of the RFS’ finest, Kalang Brigade assisting us to put it together and then pull it apart. Forget the Spanish Inquisition when the Kalangers are at a gate, donation bucket at hand. It’s all in good fun and apart of what makes it the BCM not just a marketplace but a great place to be.

X FACTOR
Spare a thought for the already (well sometimes) pressurized task of organising a any BCM, let alone a rescheduled one; only knowing 50% of your Permanent attendees and the dilemma of knowing how many Casuals to book in. Book in too many and run the risk of them turning up to fill sites now being claimed by a Permanent Marketeer who hadn’t advised their intentions, assumed usual conditions and just turn up.

There is a great effort put toward achieving a good balance and placement of stall types and numbers to everyone’s mutual advantage. We maintain our core commitment of over 30 years, too promoting the Arts, Crafts and Produce of the Shire and our region.

Ultimately, in an attempt to insure our Visitors have choice and you an income we avoid over-duplication of goods and products. Not immodestly our BCM does have a great reputation. Nurtured over the years that reputation continues to grow and that presents a risk as reputation becomes expectation. We all want the best BCM we can put on, no matter what the circumstances for our ‘expectant’ Visitors. We none of us want another postponed BCM but in the future I know we’ll all be enlightened by re-reading the BCM Guidelines (available form the BCM Info Office or on our web site), particularly the excerpt pointedly reproduced below.

“If market postponed, ALL TRADERS must then reconfirm their site by calling the BCM Office on Monday following the cancelled BCM. Permanents need only call, give their name, site number and confirm their intention to attend. Casuals will need to re-book.” BCM Guidelines

WASTE NOT
Lets breakdown all cartons and dispose of by 4pm into the Yellow Skip. Cardboard, paper or wood stained with food is a compostable item and must go in the Green bin (if a small item or flattened out and put into the bins after 2.30pm and by 4pm. Any of the Bellingen Shire Council’s brown, cylindrical bins which are found on fences, posts and around the grandstand, are not to be used for stall generated waste.

Make certain if you serve food in plates, cups, containers etc that they are as required under BCM Guidelines. In short; wood, paper, cardboard.
Recycling needs greater diligence by us all to promote an environmentally sustainable planet. An added incentive too greater diligence has been provided by Handybins who have advised us they are increasing waste removal charges and tightening up on allowable taint rates in recycling (yellow) and compost (green) bins and skips. Bins considered tainted will stickered by collectors and charged at waste (red) bin rates which have just increased by 100% in one go.
“It’s not that easy being green” Kermit.

Market Postponed

Our regular Market scheduled for this Saturday 20th June has had to be postponed to the Saturday following, Saturday 27th June.

Permanent Stallholders are asked to call this number after 9am Monday 22nd and confirm their attendance for Sat 27th.

Casual stallholders please ring Monday 22nd after 9am and leave expressions of interest. These calls will be returned Monday through Wednesday and a site allocated.
We look forward to seeing you at our rescheduled Saturday 27th June BCM.

August Newsletter

Welcome all to our August Bellingen Community Market on 19th Bellingen Jazz & Blues Festival weekend. Were all jazzed up ready to jump ‘n’ jive, dressed to impress were an act that attracts and dems da facts Jack! We’re at the hub of a fabulous weekend of Jazz & Blues so its only right that we “turn the volume up to 13″ to produce a programme that gives visitors a memorable BCM experience and adds positively to their overall impression of the BJ&BF weekend.
BCM have supported BJ&BF since it began. It’s a great excuse for a party but it also brings a number of outcomes in keeping with Bellingen Shire Residents Assoc. and BCM raison d’être i.e. to bring benefit to the Bellingen Shire and the community.
In supporting the BJ&BF our overhead costs are increased nearly threefold, our earning capacity finite (i.e. approx 250 sites) so profits reduced. As a not for profit association we are bound by a duty of care to act with financial prudence in our dealings. So why do we reduce our potential profit to be involved? If you define profit as ‘benefit’ then it’s simple. The benefit derived by the Bellingen Shire Community is incalculable. Another reason is that it is obvious our two events are highly complimentary and present the potential visitor with more ‘bang for their buck’ helping to swell numbers. This is where you come in. The benefit is also shared by you, our community of Marketeers, in the extra numbers projected to take advantage of the weekend to visit. We hope your takings will prove that theory. We are also appreciative, Casuals as well as Permanents of your loyalty and dedication to the cause by attending regularly each month the bigger months and the lesser ones. To demonstrate that, stall numbers although increased, will not be excessively added too and won’t exceed 250 and, with the skilful direction of BCM Staff will still appear epic to our visitors. Good trading. And on community contributions I’ve been remiss in not regularly reporting who have been recipients of BSRA contributions. Last months meeting saw Bellingen Primary School Orchestra receive a cheque toward musical instruments, the money means they’re ½ a cello closer to deserved fame.
Loads of stuff happening so to keep you in the loop we recommend you to the “Market Guide to Happening Stuff” section. And while on stuff you need to know… Some items of bric-a-brac, collectables, second-hand goods, etc may be described under the Second Hand Dealers Act. Do you carry any such items? What are the legal obligations for you and BCM? Do I need to be licensed? The answers may surprise you & save you $5,500, do read “Second Hand Woes”.
Regrettably illness has forced the reluctant departures of two couples, long time BCM Marketeers, D Section’s Allan & Dawn Campbell and David & Judy Owen from E Section. Both couples were loyal, unabashed BCM supporters and will be missed by their many friends here who I know will wish them strength and good health in the times ahead.
Our free stall was won by Buck of B Section, who performed his task meritoriously in front of a bemused audience on the BCM Stage. What quirky quest, will win a free site this month? Kalang Rural Fire Brigade are Community Group of the Month, assisting our BCM Staff in the morning and afternoon duties. Of course you will also find them at the gates, buckets extended and accepting graciously any contributions to their very worthy cause. Can’t end without wishing one of our team - best Birthday Wishes. Yes, D Section be particularly nice to your Section Coordinator he’s had a milestone birthday this week celebrating his 50th year! Happy Birthday Ian!
Well it’s cool for cats and up, up and away in that beautiful balloon and all that jazz. Have a wonderful day and pass it on we have a reputation to live up too remember BCM not just a marketplace but a great place to be.

Second Hand Woes
It’s literally not worth it not to comply with the law in fact, $5,500 of not worth it! When am I required to have a Second Hand Dealers License? If you do more than 6 markets (any markets, ours or elsewhere) in a calendar year AND you carry second hand goods as described under the law, you must have a license. What type of second hand goods do they mean? Mostly small items with a reasonable on sale value, the types of things sought by thieves, easily transportable and saleable. Second hand CDs, jewellery, sporting goods, car accessories, gemstones & semi precious met, musical instruments, computer software and hardware and more.
We have a number of leaflets available for your information courtesy of the Office of Fair Trading. OFT are the state government consumer body that enforce these regulations along with our friends from another state government instrument the NSW Police. If you have any doubt ask us, go to the OFT web site www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au , pick up an info sheet, ignorance is not a defence under law.
Of course we get a number of second hand goods from local folk who have done a spring clean and bring a virtual garage sale to the market. Amongst their goods may be ‘items described’.
It isn’t an offence to sell these goods, but if you do have any such items on your stall we are similarly obliged to comply with the legislation and note your details, name, address, contact details, a form of ID (drivers license, is fine) and the number of markets attended in the year and the specific goods. You sign off against that and that record must be kept by us for 3 years. Naturally we are happy to comply with the law as it does provide a number of societal benefits and consumer protection.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation Marketeers.

• Market Guide to Happening Stuff
• 9am-10am Meet the Local Candidates.
  The nominated candidates for the upcoming local elections put their 3 minute presentations to the public. Then Q&A! Always grass roots democracy at its most engaging. Moderated by Dorin Hart and recorded for reply on 2BBB-fm (107.3fm or 93.3fm). A political hour of power.
• 9am-11.30am RAAF Hot Air Balloon
  Tethered Flights
  Free, courtesy of 28th Squadron RAAF. Definitely for basket cases, thrill seekers, death cheaters and the birds - but you’ve got to try it!
  Jazz on the Market Stage
  10am-12pm - Paul Bulyani
  & Manouche Partie.
• 12pm-2pm Chris Fraters Vintage ‘08
• All Day Reptile World
  Herpetologist and Author, Steve McEwan will entertain, educate, inform and maybe save your life.