Who knew?
Who knew that on a Thursday, between 11:30am and 2.00pm the Batemans Bay Community Centre becomes a hub for all things home-grown, fresh baked and hand made? Well, not many of us it seems.
A short stroll up from Baylink and the Soldiers Club you’ll find the coffee van pumping out its delicate aromas and the blueberry ice-cream vendor making mouth watering treats. Sausages are regularly sizzling outside the Historial Society building opposite.
And from inside the hall wafts the wonderfully fresh spring scent of vegetables and the warm and welcoming aroma of lovingly baked pies, tarts, quiches and slices drifting upon the breeze – hard to resist stopping off here.
Why go to the supermarket when you can mingle with your fellow locals and perhaps make a new friend?
If you are looking for beautiful fresh produce to cook at home, eggs straight from the chooks or ducks, honey from local apiarists, a ‘just-like-mum-makes’ snack and a sit down, or you simply want to explore the stalls, this is the place to be.
As well as the fresh food on offer, local craftspeople and artists display and sell their ingenious and imaginative creations ~ everything from dried fruits, jams and jewellery, to essential oils, home made chocolates, and unique skin products, from knitted throws and toys to local paintings and signature T-shirts, from greeting cards, blown glass creations to beautifully sewn bags for all occasions, aprons, dresses and more.
Driving the success of these markets are Jess and her hard working band of colleagues and growers. They opened at the most challenging time of year – mid winter in Batemans Bay, when it seems everyone leaves town or stays indoors! Jess opened the doors of the markets in April based on her desire to farm and eat locally. It remained fairly quiet until spring arrived, bringing warmth to help create a naturally welcoming place for all comers.
Advertising signage costs money, but word of mouth is paying off so please don’t keep this good news to yourselves. Jess is determined to grow this market together with a community that believes in keeping it local.
Come on down to Batemans Bay Community Centre on Thursday mornings at 11:30 when doors open and the bell rings. Don’t forget there are lots of other interesting things to see there – a whole shed full of lovingly catalogued second-hand books, the Old Courthouse and Museum close by, the lovely green space with its path, pond and resident ducks.
