Weather plays ball for successful St John fundraiser

Maria Perica (left), of the Palmerston Linedancers, encourages young market-goers Sawyer Crow ...
Maria Perica (left), of the Palmerston Linedancers, encourages young market-goers Sawyer Crow (centre), of Dunedin, and Luke McCaw, of Palmerston, to get into the swing of things at the Garden Thyme Garden Market on Saturday. PHOTO: BRENDON MCMAHON
A perfect spring day in Palmerston saw Waihemo residents mingle with visitors from across north and east Otago at the Garden Thyme Garden Market on Saturday.

The second annual fundraiser for Palmerston Hato Hone St John saw hundreds file through the Taeri Peak Rd garden of Lyn Leng, on Palmerston’s outskirts.

The market, from 10am-3pm, had 47 stalls including garden plants, craft, and food for all-comers.

People basked in the sun as the likes of the Palmerston Linedancers strutted their stuff, and local operatic society members performed songs to add to the ambience of the packed market.

On Saturday the organisers hoped to raise $5200 for an Elk Lifting Cushion from the market raffle and entry proceeds.

And, after raising $4000 for the inaugural market in 2023, this year’s greatly expanded market should have met expectations.

Co-organiser Lyn Leng was rapt at the "very well supported" day.

She said despite the soggy ground after rain, the "kind weather" on the day had been perfect to draw punters.

She also paid tribute to the "huge" help of many volunteers.

"We’re really, really lucky ... everyone seems happy, so that’s the main thing."

Market-goers and stallholders paid an entry fee which, with traditional raffles for St John, were the main fundraisers, and on the final count would hopefully meet the $5200 target.

It was a busy weekend for Palmerston, with the market one of three events in the town.

Both the two-day Waihemo A&P Association Spring Horse Show and the East Otago Vintage Machinery annual "crank up" drew visitors from across Otago and Canterbury, and bolstered Palmerston’s accommodation and hospitality outlets.