There will be beautiful handmade wares, plenty of country hospitality and, if the call for bakers goes to plan, a very well-stocked cake stall when the O’Connell Artisan Market returns for its fourth year on Sunday, November 1.
Held in the grounds of St Thomas’ Church at 3870 Beaconsfield Road, O’Connell, the annual market has become much more than a great day out, with every dollar raised helping to restore the historic Old Rectory.
Built in the 1870s, the Rectory had fallen into a very poor state before a dedicated group of community volunteers decided the beautiful old building was simply too important to lose.
Since then, there has been sanding, painting, scrubbing, digging, crowbars, shovels – and apparently a considerable amount of coffee and cake.
Four of the building’s seven rooms have now been completed, with volunteers even tackling major work including lowering the kitchen floor to allow new bearers and joists to be installed.
The Artisan Market has played an important role in funding that work, with stallholder fees and admission donations going directly towards purchasing materials and continuing the restoration.
Organisers are now calling for another kind of artisan – the baking kind!
Donations of cakes, muffins, slices and other homemade goodies are needed for the market bake sale, while volunteers who can lend a hand on the day would also be warmly welcomed.
The Old Rectory Store, operated separately by Sue and Cherri, continues to trade from completed rooms while restoration work progresses, thanks to the support of the Anglican Church.
To volunteer or donate baking, send a private message to the market organisers or text 0422 220 283.
So pop November 1 in the diary – shop local, eat cake and help save a little piece of O’Connell history at the same time.
