Annie Van der Burgh from Whispered Secrets in Albany Village recently ran another special Saturday market in the Village Square, despite the threat of heavy rain! Luckily there were only a few short showers which didn’t prevent the event being a success. The idea is to bring back the successful markets which used to be run in the square by the Albany Village Charitable Arts Trust (AVCAT).

There were many of Annie’s friends’ stalls in the square and in the Massey University’s rooms which were let to her without a fee. With parking normally so difficult in the village (our new city council is looking to solve this problem for us) it was great the University’s parking was available and open to the general public for free use for the day. Local car dealers also offered free parking in their yard beside Kell Park in the lane which leads down to Adrien Jennings’ Art Gallery.

Inside were stalls for Tarot and Rune readings, Crystal Energy Healing, Reiki, Yoga and massage, while outside were stalls selling jams and preserves, sweets, jewellery, clothing, art work and even cunningly designed handmade Jandals.

Visiting children were catered for with expert face painting by Jeanette and Henna decorating on hands by Bhavna. All accompanied by a busking musician.

The day was such a success it will be repeated in the New Year on the Saturdays, January 21, February 18 and March 17.The day opens from 10am
though stall holders will have to set up earlier. More fruit and vegetable stalls plus art work will be included as the market expands through good
promotion and word of mouth.

Here’s a good chance for people to get together to take a stall to sell their spare fruit, vegetables and other produce – or even a group from our
local school. People interested in joining this public venture in the future should contact Annie Vanderburgh at  her Whispered Secrets rooms at 247 State Highway 17, Albany Village.

Phone: 021 379 286. Email: annie@whisperedsecrets.co.nz Website: www.whisperedsecrets.co.nz

Words and pictures by Howard Williams
Albany Village Charitable Arts Trust (AVCAT)

The holidays have come and gone with some lovely sunny weather when people were able to play in Kell Park and then come to the library, and some very wet weather when people sheltered in the library and found some good books to read.

The quiz “Who’s inside this book” resulted in some children winning some lovely books donated by Borders Bookshop, Westfield. The cross-section competition was won by Darius, who drew the cross-section of a cutter.

Some winter reading for children twelve years and over are:-

To be a good thief, you need to be faster than the speed of light, invisible and, most of all, you need to be lucky. Baz and Demi have always been lucky. Suddenly they’re sucked into a world where children’s lives are worthless, where the rich and powerful are just adults who steal on a much grander scale, and where secrets are traded like gold. Their only hope is to make a brave bid for freedom – to head upcountry, away from the unrelenting heat.

Time Riders by Alex Reardon

Liam O’Connor should have died at sea in 1912. Maddy Carter should have died on a plane in 2010. Sal Vikram should have died in a fire in 2029. Yet moments before death, someone mysteriously appeared and said, ‘Take my hand…’

The Spook’s Nightmare by Joseph Delaney.

The Spook, Tom and Alice return from Greece to find the County under siege – and the Spook’s home burnt to the ground. They seek refuge on the nearby island of Mona. But with Mona in the thrall of a twisted Shaman there is little respite from hostility or denizens of the dark. And as Alice dodges the ever-tightening net of the island’s witch hunters, a more deadly enemy emerges…

The staff at the library are always ready to help you choose a good book to read.

Albany Village Library is open Monday – Friday 9am-5.30pm and Sat & Sun 9.30-4pm.

The next Albany Village Market will be held on Friday the 5th February and then every second Friday after that.

The next Albany Village Market will be held on Friday, 22nd January.

Usually the market is held on the third Friday of every month, but as January has 5 weeks and most of the businesses in the Village were closed for the summer holidays, it was decided that it would be more beneficial to have the market a week later.

If you are interested in having stall, please contact Suzanne Thatcher – Suzzanethatcher@hotmail.com

The Albany Village Business Association has launched a new produce and arts market.

Bringing the Old Albany Village back to life with over 25 stall holders, specials from local cafes and restaurants and encouragement for the local schools and community groups to fundraise is the main aim of the new market.

There will be live music on the night from local band “The Low Down” who is getting involved and supporting the market to give it just the right atmosphere.
Solstice restaurant located in the centre of the village will be putting on special market day wine and food specials which gives people the opportunity to stay on for dinner.

So come along and enjoy the quaint and vibrant surroundings of the Albany Village whilst listening to great music and taking advantage of the delicious food and exquisite art on offer.

The next market is this Friday the 18th December.
Starting at 4pm and going till 8pm.
Located in the centre of the Albany Village, in the village square on Kell Drive.