Central residents can shop locally for handmade goodies and contribute to the maintenance of the Earnscleugh Hall at the country fair this Sunday (May 7).

Earnscleugh Community Society (ECS) president Angela McNaughton said the proceeds from some of the food for sale at the fair goes towards bills for the 97-year-old hall.

“The Earnscleugh Hall is community owned, and the fair is a fundraiser for it. We usually fundraise around $1,000 which goes on power bills, repairs and general upkeep.”

The next project the ECS wants to tackle is replacing the ceiling in the supper room.

“Some possums have caused damage up there and it’s crumbling.”

Angela, who has been organising the fair for the past ten years, said the focus was on handmade items that shoppers would not find in regular shops.

On offer are plants, hand made arts and crafts, devonshire teas with scones and jam, hot soup and bread rolls, a barbecue, and local cheese.

There will also be new stallholders this season: a naturopath with herbal teas and skincare, and a company owned by five sisters who make baby clothes.

“We’ve got a full hall of regular and new stall holders and also some stalls outside,” Angela said.

Covid-19 restrictions meant visitor numbers were carefully managed inside the hall last autumn, so organisers were looking forward to welcoming the community back with no distancing requirements this year.

Angela said it was a good chance for local people to reconnect and catch up, with some people staying several hours during past fairs. 

Earnscleugh Country Fair is held at 506 Earnscleugh Road. After the autumn fair, it will be six months until the fair returns in spring. 

Earnscleugh Hall

For more information contact: [email protected]