Clear out the garage and attic of things you no longer need and turn them into cash while at the same time supporting a local charity, or simply come along to bag a bargain and pick up some fantastic local produce at the Vineyard Market. Vineyard Compassion extends an invitation to join us at the Vineyard Complex on Hillman's Way, off the Ballycastle Road, Coleraine on the 1st Saturday of each month.
Launched in July 2012, Vineyard Market has grown to become Irelands largest monthly indoor and outdoor Car Boot Sale, Farmers Market & Craft Fair with capacity for over 250 traders. It uniquely combines these '3 different markets in one great event', with more than 100 OUTDOOR pitches available as well as over 70 pitches within a covered 'DRIVE-IN' area, 90 pitches in a separate 'INDOOR' warehouse where tables are provided and a futher 30 pitches with tables provided for the Craft Fair in the FOYER of the main church building. There is plenty of free car parking on site for public and traders with a designated 'disabled' area. Hot food is available from local vendors along with tea, coffee and light snacks from our Compassion Cafes.
The Market is managed and operated entirely by a team of local volunteers who give up their time each month for the benefit of both traders and public to make sure that it all happens successfully and safely. All proceeds go directly towards tackling poverty through a charity, Vineyard Compassion. The funds raised through the Vineyard Market help resource over 17 projects that provide people with emotional and practical support at their point of need, while empowering them to tackle the underlying root causes. Projects include Causeway Foodbank, WearHouse (Clothing Bank), CAP Debt Counselling Centre, CAP Job Club, Supported Volunteering work programme, Life Skills course, Recovery Support Group, Supported Housing, Drop-In centre, Allotment and many more.
Events like this generate a buzz in the Borough, creating a unique sense of community and making it a welcoming, attractive place for shoppers to visit. We are not only hoping to attract people to the town but to also support our local producers as well as the local economy and all for a worthy cause.
Many local families are struggling financially and the Vineyard Market provides an easy opportunity to generate some much needed cash from all the stuff in the attic or garage which in turn saves other local families money as they have the option to buy pre-loved items for a fraction of their original cost. The Craft Fair provides an excellent outlet for crafters to sell their handmade or homemade locally produced goods. The Farmers Market helps make fresh local produce more easily available to people in the area. Local produce is good for the environment, reducing food miles which is the distance travelled from farm to fork, saving energy and cutting pollution not to mention keeping money circulating in the local economy.
It's an absolute joy to be able to use the Vineyard site for something as exciting as this - it is a brilliant experience for local traders and for people living in or visiting the Coleraine area, while at the same time raising funds to help people who are suffering hardship right on our doorstep.