Saturday 22nd February 2014
Today was a red-letter day in Warminster, as Town Treasures, the new artisan and gift market organised by Sarah-Jane Wright and Stacey Henry, opened for business on the ground-floor of the Old Town Hall, breathing new life back into the much-loved but long-neglected building and creating a friendly atmosphere that may inspire others it is hoped to re-launch new commerce into the town centre. Danny Howell went along with his camera to meet lots of lovely people and be tempted by lots of lovely things.
Town Treasures will be open every Friday and Saturday. 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., at the Old Town Hall, Market Place, Warminster.
Probably the first time in many years that the Old Town Hall steps have looked so clean! And not a pigeon in sight!
The balloons were out for the opening day.
And, as if by magic, the relentless rain of recent weeks called it a halt for the day, the sun shone and there was a beautiful blue sky over Warminster and the Old Town Hall.
Prior to 9.30 a.m. the white doors to the ground floor room were shut and hiding on the other side the colour and vibrancy of the crafts and gifts as the stallholders made last-minute preparations before the public came along en-masse to support this wonderful venture.
Sarah-Jayne Wright, one of the co-organisers gives final attention to some posters as the minutes slip by to the opening moment.
Stacey Henry, the other co-organiser puts the adverising board outside on the pavement.
“Town Treasures Open Today”
Over the shoulders of a couple in the entrance foyer, catching a glimpse of what is about to be.
These youngsters had balloons at the ready to advertise the Purely Boys stall inside.
No one was in any doubt there was going to be a fantastic family-feel about this event.
All smiles for an historic moment: Organisers Stacey Henry and Sarah-Jayne Wright open the front doors to the Old Town Hall, inviting the waiting crowd outside to come in.
And in the public came!
It was immediately obvious the new Town Treasures artisan and gift market was going to be a big success.
Anticipation of what’s inside.
Even time for some folks to chat in the foyer, not only about the market but about the history and the grandeur of the Old Town Hall.
For many people it was the first time they had ever been inside the building ~ they told us so!
What else but chandeliers to illuminate the interior.
The market pictured just as the first patrons entered the main room on the ground floor.
The first minute of the first day of the Town Treasures Artisan and Gift Market.
The large windows, nearly all the way from the floor to near the ceiling, on the south side of the building, absorbing the sunshine, gave the room a very bright and airy ambience, just right for seeing in detail the wonder of all the lovely products. If you want to know more about Town Treasures telephone 07757 418267, visit the website: www.towntreasures.co.uk or visit their Facebook page by clicking here.
A great day for Warminster as Town Treasures opens for business with twelve stallholders.
In the room on the right as you enter the building was the Purely Boys stall.
Their slogan is: “We have just about everything a boy could ever need.”
Walkie-talkies, magnetic dartboards, puzzles and games galore and more.
To find out more visit the website: www.purelyboys.co.uk
Every item sold by Purely Boys has been passed through a tough testing process, and is chosen for those with limited purses and an aversion to plastic tat!
To reserve an item or find out more details from Purely Boys, telephone 01985 220660.
The Town Treasures Market has been spendidly supported by the RACS Group whose south-west office is based at RACS Group House, Three Horseshoes Walk, Warminster. BA12 9BT. Telephone 01173 704348. Mobile: 07515 715750. email: lori.neil@racsgroup.com website: www.racsgroup.com/
Photographs taken by Danny Howell.
The Tyro Laser Cutting and Engraving stall.
For more details about Tyro Laser Cutting and Engraving visit the website: www.tyrolaser.co.uk
Products by Tyro Laser Cutting and Engraving. To find out more telephone 0790 8253847 email: tyro.laser@gmail.com
The ground floor of the Old Town Hall was soon full of people and filled with the hub-hub of noise associated with happiness.
Decorated watering-cans at the ready on the Rich Shrimp stall.
The Rich Shrimp takes its name from the surnames of the co-owners: Ms. Shrimpton and Ms. Rich.
Mugs portraying the adventures of Tin-Tin on the Rich Shrimp stall.
This was the debut stall-selling experience for Rich Shrimp and what better event could they have chosen other than Town Treasures at the Old Town Hall.
Lots of lovely Mr. Men items on the Rich Shrimp stall. To find out more about Rich Shrimp email George on george-rich@virginmedia.com
A wonderful sight to see the Old Town Hall back in use, by the community, serving the community, and being thoroughly enjoyed by the community.
The Gorgeous Bags Purses and Accessories Stall. Handmade, new and pre-loved designer fashion and accessories. Telephone 07775 959540. To visit on Facebook, click here.
Some of those gorgeous bags.
The stall also doubled up showcasing items by Eveleigh Interiors, featuring handmade, new and restored interior decor and giftware.
To see more visit www.eveleighinteriors.co.uk
Gorgeous Bags Purses And Accessories and Eveleigh Interiors will be at Town Treasures at the Old Town Hall, Warminster, every Friday and Saturday.
email: eveleighinteriors@live.co.uk
If you want to know more about Town Treasures telephone 07757 418267, visit the website: www.towntreasures.co.uk or visit their Facebook page by clicking here.
The Ashton Lane Alpacas stall, providing items knitted or made from amazing alpaca wool.
Beautiful knitwear.
And wool for those who like to knit for themselves.
These alpaca wool teddy bears are very tactile and were priced at £25.
To discover more about Ashton Lane Alpacas, telephone Carol and Peter Watt, 01380 870603 or visit the website: www.ashtonlanealpacas.co.uk
The Town Treasures artisan and gift market in full swing.
Emily Homfray with her Em’s Crafts stall.
Hedgehogs are just a sample of Em’s unique handmade crafts.
To contact Emily email: ems_crafts@yahoo.co.uk or telephone 07729 032993
Em’s Crafts are also on Facebook, click here.
A packed Town Treasures at the Old Town Hall.
Gary Curtis and his Elegance With Attitude jewellery stall.
Gary offers many items in the £2 to £6 range as well as more bespoke jewellery items.
Plenty to choose from.
Sparkling in the sunshine beaming in through the Old Town Hall windows.
Gary can be contacted by email: garyjamescurtis@gmail.com
Everyone said how wonderful it was to see the Old Town Hall in use again and how grating it is that it was ever sold out of the public’s hands.
Greetings Cards from Simple Bluebell Publishing who are based at Great Wishford in the wonderful Wylye Valley.
The photographic cards from Simply Bluebell looked beautiful and cheered up the soul after all the wet weather we’ve been witnessing.
Simply Bluebell offer a great service letting you choose a card online and getting it posted to the recipient, for the total cost of just £2.
All Simply Bluebell’s artwork is original and exclusive, created by artists in Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset, Devon and Hampshire.
To contact Simply Bluebell, either to purchase cards or to be a stockist (village shops welcome) telephone 01722 792695. email: info@simplybluebell.co.uk or visit the website: www.simplybluebell.co.uk