Riverside craft fair returns to South Shields

A summer craft fair returns to South Shields this weekend with a wealth of bespoke goodies and handcrafted gifts.
Harton Quays Park Craft Markets which will return to South Tyneside this summer.Harton Quays Park Craft Markets which will return to South Tyneside this summer.
Harton Quays Park Craft Markets which will return to South Tyneside this summer.

On Sunday the riverside will come alive with a selection of local artists and craftspeople displaying their wares at the first Harton Quays Park Craft Market.

There will be everything from sweet treats and local produce to organic beauty products, artwork, up-cycled textiles, ceramics and handmade jewellery.

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Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said: “Our previous Harton Quays Park Craft Markets have been a great success with hundreds of visitors taking the opportunity to browse through the wide range of stalls run by local artists and craftspeople.

“This weekend we are looking forward to the return of craft markets where local residents and visitors will be able to enjoy a wonderful afternoon picking up unique gifts which are not always available from the shops, from our even bigger selection of talented artists, sellers and producers.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for us to support traders and for people to enjoy the range of products on offer with stalls supplying everything from gourmet goodies to unique gifts, handmade jewellery and accessories, clothing, souvenirs and much more.”

The markets will run on the first Sunday of every month from May to September, from 10.30am to 3pm at Harton Quays Park in South Shields.

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For further information about the Harton Quays Park Craft Markets and for the full South Tyneside Festival programme of events go to www.visitsouthtyneside.co.ukAmong the local traders to have a stall at the weekend is Ava Kitsch Jewellery and Gifts, which specialises in creating an eclectic range of steampunk jewellery and accessories. The brand has a strong belief in upcycling and repurposing by using unloved metal and textiles to create unique pieces of jewellery gifts with a history of their own.

Company owner Samantha Osmond, who made her passion into a business four years ago, said: “I am really looking forward to returning this year the craft markets are a fantastic event in South Shields. The location is great as there is plenty of room along the riverside for stalls to set-up and for people to view their goods and on a sunny day it is a lovely place to be.”

“There is a really great atmosphere at the craft markets as local artists and craftspeople come together to sell their wares and the community show their support for local businesses. It is a well organised event that always proves popular and I am excited to be coming back to showcase my up cycled jewellery and gifts including my new range of crochet accessories.”

The Harton Quays Park Summer Craft Markets are being delivered in a partnership between South Tyneside Council and ‘changing places, changing lives’ environmental charity Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle.

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Andrew Watts, Executive Director of Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle, said: “These annual craft markets are a real highlight of the South Tyneside Festival of events. They draw people into the Borough and give hugely talented arts and crafts makers the perfect platform to display and sell their products.

“The markets are set in a visually stunning and interesting location, which adds to their appeal and has helped make them a huge success in previous years. It is wonderful that we are welcoming back over 60 North East businesses, a sure sign of their popularity.

“Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle is again delighted to be playing its part in organising and running the markets. They have been very well supported by the people of South Tyneside and the North East as a whole, and I know they will prove a real draw this year too.”

Harton Quays Park is located along the riverside between South Shields Ferry Landing and The Customs House. The Markets are taking place on Sundays 1 May, 5 June, 3 July, 7 August and 4 September.

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The Harton Quays Park Craft Markets is just one of the highlights of this year’s South Tyneside Festival extensive programme of events, activities and entertainment for all the family to enjoy.

For further information about the Harton Quays Park Craft Markets and for the full South Tyneside Festival programme of events go to www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk. Alternatively, people can follow the Council’s social media sites at www.facebook/southtynesideevents.com or www.twitter.com/STynesideEvents.com