The reins of one of Blenheim's pioneering markets was handed over in a short and rainy ceremony on Saturday giving stallholders full ownership of the market for the first time.
The Redwoodtown Market was set up by Blenheim South Rotary Club 28 years ago but has only now handed over responsibility and management of the market to the stall-holders, with funds going to the Marlborough Hospice.
Owner of James' Nursery and stall-holder for 11 years, Philip James welcomed the change and hoped it would further promote the market.
"We need to keep moving forward or we run the risk of becoming stagnant. Hopefully, we'll grow more working with the hospice."
Mr James said the reason he comes back every week is simple.
"We get a lot of the same people coming to the market every week – it's like a community within a community.
"The people here help each other out. You can leave money on the table and just walk away; there's a lot of trust."
In a speech to the stallholders, president of Blenheim South Rotary Cheryl West said one of the significant features of the Redwood Market was the loyalty of those who frequent it. Graeme Dowling, 81, began selling pumpkins at the market 28 years ago. A time, he says, when people thought the community market would fail.
"They thought this market would fold, but it's still going strong and still will, too. [The change] will give it a new life for another 20 or 30 years."
"I wouldn't miss [the market] for anything. I'm going to keep coming for as long as I can."
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