Women have high hopes of breathing new life into Horwood’s Farm

Two Edenvale residents have high hopes of breathing new life into Horwood’s Farm in Edenvale.

Also read: Community cleans up Horwood’s Farm

In order to achieve this, Charlene Jacobson and Michelle van Scheltema plan on having monthly markets at the park.

Also read: Resident fuming over noise from Horwood’s Farm

The markets will be a platform for vendors and community members to come together.

Also read: New beginnings for Friends of Horwood’s Farm

“We want the community to interact with one another and enjoy themselves in a safe environment,” said Charlene.

Also read: Noisy neighbours? Here’s the law regarding excessive noise

The idea to host the market began when Charlene realised that there were very few markets in Edenvale.

“To be able to go a nice market, we found that we always had to drive far,” said Charlene.

“My children love to have picnics so it was becoming expensive.”

After discussing the plan with Michelle, the duo started looking for a location in Edenvale to host a market.

Michelle said they decided to use Horwood’s Farm because it had “magnificent facilities and potential”.

The atmosphere of the market will be similar to that of the Fourways Farmers Market.

As the founders of JHB Gourmet Food and Craft Markets, the duo believes they are capable of seeing this project through.

At the markets, community members will be able to buy food, jewellery, clothes, crafts and listen to live music.

Vendors will sell their products under the steel gazebos at the park.

Charlene and Michelle hope to have 100 vendors at their first market in March.

“Community members of all ages will have fun,” said Michelle.

In order to attend the market community members will be charged a small fee.

The entrance fee will be used to maintain the park.

It will be used to buy paint for the steel gazebos or to repair the jungle gym.

Growing up in Edenvale the pair watched the park deteriorate.

“We will work closely with Friends of Horwood’s Farm to fix up the park,” said Charlene.

Once the market becomes established and the facilities improved, more events will be held at the park.

One idea the pair have is to host a battle of the bands competition in the park’s amphitheater.

“We want to strengthen our community and put money back into the park,” said Charlene.

Charlene and Michelle’s first market is planned to be held on March 4.

The market will be open between 9am and 4pm.

For more information or to get involved email jhbfoodandcraftmarkets@gmail.com

For more news and interesting articles, like Bedfordview and Edenvale NEWS on Facebook or follow us on Twitter