FREO FANTASTIC FOOD AND FIRE

It’s going to be a stunning Saturday so come on down to Fremantle for the start of the STREET ART FESTIVAL from midday, move on to the BATHERS BEACH SUNSET FOOD MARKET from 5-9, and don’t miss the fantastic fire tango by BILBOBASSO on the Esplanade at 7.30 pm. In between check out the SCULPTURE@BATHERS on the beach.

And when you wake up on Sunday morning the South Fremantle GROWERS GREEN MARKET will be open from 8-12 tomorrow!

Roel Loopers

Bilbobasso on the Esplanade at 7.30 pm

Bathers Beach Sunset Food Markets from 5-9 pm

FREO’S GREEN CHRISTMAS MARKET

WHY MARKETS ARE GOOD FOR FREMANTLE

Graham Morgan, the rather right wing Freo Ramble blogger attacks me on his blog without even mentioning my name or this blog. Graham is upset I wrote nice things about the South Fremantle Growers Green Market and that I support the proposed market at Bathers Beach. He is totally against it because it would mean competition for retailers at this end of town who are struggling with red tape, he writes.

Graham writes I claim to support the West End Traders but many are against the market. Just to get facts straight Graham, I am on the executive committee of the West End Traders and we officially support the Bathers Beach Market and have informed the elected members of the City of Fremantle accordingly.

Markets attract people. They are great meeting places for the community. Most tourists I talk to when on tourguide duty at the Round House on Thursdays ask for markets. Growers Green markets have been highly successful in Mount Claremont, Subiaco, Mount Lawley, Midland, and all over the city, so why on earth are some retailers worried about one in Fremantle? Competition is good and keeps one on its toes. It demands change and doing things better, something many retailers in Fremantle need to learn, as too many can’t be bothered to make necessary changes to their businesses, or even clean their shopfronts for that matter.

Graham’s blog post is exactly the reason why I’ve put my hand up to join the BID board, because Fremantle needs more creative and positive doers, rather than procrastinating negative whingers who refuse to be part of the big picture. I have heard traders say festivals don’t increase their sales and I am sure that is correct for some while others thrive. But festivals, like markets, bring people to your end of town who might for the first time see that you are trading and they might come back in the future to shop there. The West End is dead on Saturdays but for a few hundred tourists, so anything to get a flow of people coming this way must be a positive thing.

Roel Loopers

FANTASTIC FREO GROWERS GREEN MARKET

I love markets. Markets remind me of my childhood when dad often used to take me on Saturday mornings to the bustling and noisy one in Hague in the Netherlands. Screaming traders tried to entice one in buying their products and what a variety there was. Lots of fresh vegetables, fish, smoked eel, there were food stalls where I would get chips with mayo or beef croquettes, and there were many stalls selling fresh flowers. My dad always bough mum flowers on Saturdays.

This morning I went to the Fremantle Growers Green Market at the South Fremantle Senior High School. It is such a homely market and so peaceful. None of that shouting we used to get in Holland. The food stalls are just great and it is hard to make a decision on what to eat there for breakfast. The coffee is also excellent and it is nice to linger at a table and watch shoppers go by with kids and dogs in tow.

There is yummie whiskey or rum cured smoked salmon for sale, but also smoked eggs, duck, chicken and trout. The tiny Carnarvon bananas I bought are so sweet and the organic fruitloaf with figs, etc. is perfect. One can buy the freshest eggs, most fantastic bread and pastries and shining fresh fruit and vegetable and all that is the most delightful setting.

The organisors of the Growers Green have applied for a Saturday market at Bathers Beach and I hope council will approve of it although one nearby trader is against it. Markets are great meeting places for the community to get together and individual selfishness should be ignored when council decides to give the market a (fair) go.

Roel Loopers

Growers Green Market in South Fremantle

BATHERS BEACH MARKET KNOCKERS WRONG

I am astonished about the negativity surrounding the proposal for a Saturday market at Fremantle‘s Bathers Beach I read on the Kidogo Art House Facebook page. The proposal comes from very professional and experienced market operators who have run the very well attended and loved Growers Green Sunday Market at South Fremantle Senior High School for quite some time.

So what are the issues according to Freo Ramble?

* Food stalls operating on black concrete are seen as a health hazard. Why? They could not operate on grass according to health regulations.

* Rubbish removal. Has not been a problem at Growers Green and is surely the responsibility of the market operators, so not an issue

* Crushed limestone whipped up by wind, affecting food. Food requires to be covered. Markets all over the world cope with wind, sand, etc. so why is this a problem at Bathers Beach?

* There has been no consultation with surrounding businesses. Not good and that should have been done! I’d hope they would embrace it as it bring people to the area.

* The Old Port Project is far from completed. CoF is aware of the issues. They have been told by FICRA, this Freo’s View blog and the Fremantle Society, so things will hopefully be improved soon. But what has that got to do with a once a week Saturday market?

It is an occurring Fremantle problem that when people want to make things happen, others who always complain that nothing is happening, will be against it.

I believe a Bathers Beach market would be very good to start the revitalisation of the West End, something traders and residents have been asking for for years.

City Ward Councillor Rachel Pemberton has been very active and pro-active and does not deserve to be blamed for the Old Port Project imperfections. As a councillor she has only got one vote and she can not direct City officers to do any tasks, so the implied criticism of her by the Rambler is pretty unfair.

Roel Loopers

HAPPY BIRTDAY GROWERS GREEN!

The GROWERS GREEN MARKET at the South Fremantle Senior High School celebrated its first birthday today. Well done ladies!!

Roel Loopers

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CELEBRATE GROWERS GREEN’S BIRTHDAY

On Sunday the GROWERS GREEN MARKET at the South Fremantle Senior High School in Lefroy Street, Beaconsfield, will be celebrating its first birthday, so go along and support this inniative by a few local Fremantle women. It runs from 8.30-12.30 and there will be entertainment besides great fresh produce, meat, eggs and yummie food and coffee.

The market was started by Sonia Martinez, Georgie Adeane, Ingrid Waltham and Kathy Anketell and has proved to be a real Fremantle crowd puller.

The atmosphere is just great. I love the coffee, the ultra fresh free range eggs and vegies, and the whiskey cured smoked salmon is something I always need to take home.

This Sunday will be a BIG MARKET day with stalls selling hand-made, used and vintage clothing, crafts, gifts, books, and much more.

Bring the family! Plenty of space for the kids to have a run around and have fun, while the parents can sit down and have breakfast.

Roel Loopers