Hout Bay craft market closed for winter

THE Lions Sunday Craft Market in Hout Bay has been closed temporarily due to a change in weather. The NGO is dedicated to local community upliftment and is one of the longest running craft markets.

President of the craft market, Liz Huckle, said: “This will be the first winter that we decided to close it in keeping with other well-known outdoor markets such as Kirstenbosch and Somerset West which is always closed in winter.

“Now there are more and more markets springing up all over the place. So over the years our market has become smaller with fewer crafters, but we are changing that with a new beginning, incorporating all our loyal crafters who have supported us for so many years, but also adding so much more to attract members of the public and their friends and families.”

Huckle said they were coming up with new ideas for the market to restore it to its former glory.

“We are very busy planning a wonderful reopening event which will happen on the first day of spring, Sunday, September 1.

“We intend to add new and innovative ideas in keeping with current trends, but not losing our current crafters nor the wonderful vibe and reputation that we have enjoyed for so many years.

“We have assisted many youngsters just leaving school to gain access to tertiary education through both financial assistance and hands-on support and mentorship. Even more, we are proud to say that all our graduates are in permanent employment.

“This year they’ve taken a very different approach by shifting from pretty location pictures and the standard tourist attractions to entertaining storytelling based on deeper observations told in a light-hearted way.

“We have used a video that went viral featuring fun cameos by the likes of Siv Ngesi, Luke Dale Roberts, Tali Babes and Ryan Sandes.

“This is to help make South Africans reconsider Cape Town for their winter break and the launch of their new digital e-book is available on the Cape Town Tourism website,”said Huckle.

The market serves as a key fundraiser for the Lions club and all money raised is ploughed back into the community, Huckle added, so that it can get through their various charitable projects.

PR and communications manager Briony Brooks said winter was a low tourism period in the province, which has led to Cape Town Tourism launching its 2019 winter campaign to highlight affordability and reignite domestic tourism to the city.