December 4th, 2011 - It's on again...

Well folks, it's on again, the Darlington Community Markets will be held on Sunday 4th December from 9am to 2pm.  An ideal location to purchase unique Christmas gifts in plenty of time for the big day.  Take a look at the range of items available from our new stall holders and the new additions to our regular stalls.  See you there...

How to get there...

Directions to Darlington Community Markets

PLEASE NOTE: PEOPLE HAVE BECOME VERY LOST WHEN TRYING TO USE GPS TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE DARLINGTON. YOU MAY USE GPS TO TRAVEL TO BEAUDESERT; HOWEVER FROM THERE YOU SHOULD FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

Darlington Community Markets located at Darlington State School is situated along the Kerry Road approximately 27km south of the township of Beaudesert.
To get onto Kerry Road from Brisbane side of Beaudesert, proceed straight ahead through the main set of traffic lights in the centre of Beaudesert. As a marker, you will notice a Kentucky Fried Chicken store on your immediate left once you have passed through the lights. Not long after passing through these lights, you will see a swimming pool on your right and soon after, a golf course on your left – this is confirmation that you are on Kerry Road and heading to Darlington Markets.
To get onto Kerry Road from Gold Coast side of Beaudesert, turn sharp left at the main set of traffic lights in the centre of Beaudesert. As a marker, you will notice a Kentucky Fried Chicken store on your immediate left once you have passed through the lights. Not long after passing through these lights, you will see a swimming pool on your right and soon after, a golf course on your left – this is confirmation that you are on Kerry Road and heading to Darlington Markets.
Once through the lights and onto Kerry Road, proceed for approximately 27 kilometres without turning off the road.

HANDY HINTS

-The centre of Beaudesert is a 4-way cross roads with traffic lights.
-If you are going to the Darlington Markets and have not passed the swimming pool on your right and golf course on your left within a few minutes of passing through the traffic
lights, you are on the wrong road.
-Your destination is likely to be 20 to 25 minutes from Beaudesert.
-Beaudesert is the last town and shops before your destination so if you need food or
petrol it is advisable to stock up before you travel the final leg of your journey.
-There is only patchy mobile reception in the Lost World Valley.
WE HOPE YOU HAVE A SAFE AND RELAXING JOURNEY, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU

Ex Libris Preloved Books - Book lovers unite

Newly married Sarah and Dan McNamara have always loved books, and when an opportunity arose to participate in the Darlington Community Markets, they jumped at the chance. Long time residents of the Scenic Rim, they've despaired at the lack of readily available reading material that is both affordable and easily accessible, and out of a love of books, being able to share books with others and sagging bookshelves, Ex Libris Preloved Books was born.

The tables of Ex Libris will be groaning under the weight of a wide range of authors and book types, including fantasy, classics, semi-fictional historical novels, biographies, chick lit, romance, spy thrillers, travel guides and crime novels from authors such as Tom Clancy, Clive Barker, Mercedes Lackey, Charles De Lint, Maeve Binchey, Nora Roberts, Dan Brown, Patricia Cornwall, Oscar Wilde, Robert Louis Stevenson and Kathy Reichs.

Some of the most exciting books to be found are in the range of childrens picture books, young adult novels and easy readers, including well-loved names such as Maisie, Curious George, Trixie Belden, Nurse Matilda, and retellings of famous tales from the Arabian Nights and the Brothers Grimm. Other well loved authors such as Pamela Allen, Mem Fox, Tamora Pierce and Alison Lester will also be found tucked away. 

The tables of Ex Libris will also be graced by some DVDs and vintage VHS tapes which have been pre-loved but cared for all the same and happy to go on to a new home.

All books are pre loved or ex-library sourced from various places and lovingly restored, ready to find a new home on bookshelves around the Scenic Rim. You can find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Ex-Libris-Preloved-Books/132502773498777.

As a first-market special, all books will be priced at just $3 each or any two books for $5, so get in early for a bargain!

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

Live Entertainment at Darlington Community Markets

Baala Baajo - African Drum and Dance
Market goers will have the pleasure of being entertained by Nii Armah while they browse through our many and varied market stalls. 

Baala Baajo is the inspiration of accomplished professional Ghanaian singer, dancer and musician, Nii Armah.  A sensitive teacher and a dynamic performer, Nii Armah has a true passion for the music and culture of his native Ghana.  He is committed to sharing an understanding of diversity and empowerment through African drumming and dancing.  THis commitment inspired Nii Armah to create Baala Baajo, which means 'come Sing, come Dance' in his native Ga language.

Well known for his energy, exuberance and musical talent Nii Armah has travelled nationally and internationally, performing and teaching African arts and culture to diverse groups of all ages.  He has taught drum and dance in a range of settings and has facilitated many team building workshops.  His performance repertoire is extensive and includes many high profile festivals, government and private functions. Additionally, thousands of students of all ages have also thoroughly enjoyed his interactive performances and workshops. 
Baala Baajo specialises in traditional African drumming, dancing and singing, offering a range of performance and workshop options including corporate workshops, performances for all occasions and drum and dance workhops for a diverse range of groups just to name a few.

Join Nii Armah at the Darlington Markets to experience the power and joy of African drum and dance! Nii Armah will provide entertainment on the day and his CD, along with a range of Ghanaian percussion instruments and educational resources will be available. More information about Nii Armah and Baala Baajo can be found at http://www.baalabaajo.biz/
Dynamic, captivating, passionate, vibrant and energising

Ghanalicious – A Taste of Africa

Ghanalicious uses ingredients commonly found in Ghanaian to create delicious meals, snacks and desserts. Certified organic ingredients are used wherever possible. Some of the ingredients used in the desserts and snacks include coconut and coconut oil, chocolate, plantain, banana, avocado, orange, lime, ginger, chilli, sunflower seeds, peanuts and cashews.

Ghanalicious is a relatively newly conceived idea and the concept was launched this year at Baala Baajo events in Port Macquarie and the Glass House Mountains. There is an ever expanding range of new delights being created.

Below are some of the products you can sample at the Darlington Community Markets.

• Choc avocado delight – a vegan, raw plant food dessert
• Crunchy coconut, choc slice – vegan, raw food
• Yummy biscuits – choc orange, lime and ginger, choc coconut, lime and coconut, cashew
• Chocolate banana bread

Wilde's Wilderness - Featured Stall holder

Come along and meet Dave Wilde at the Darlington Community Markets, our well known local garden expert with a fabulous sense of humour!  Dave will have a large array of quality home grown plants for sale ranging from flowers to shrubs and trees and everything in between.  With 50+ years experience in growing all types of plants from cuttings, seeds and grafting, Dave is the Kerry Valley's answer to Don Burke!

You're sure to find something that's just perfect for your garden.

Today's Featured Stallholder - 'Nettles Natural'

We will start to regularly feature our stall holders to give our customers some more information on what they can expect from a day out at Darlington Community Markets.

Welcome to our first featured stall holder - Nettles Natural.  We are really excited to welcome William & Siobhan, the founders of Nettles Natural to our Darlington Community Markets.  Nettles Natural fits in well with our Grow it, Make it, Bake it market theme and we look forward to having them as part of our market family.

Nettles Natural is based in the Scenic Rim and offers a fantastic range of 100% natural soap and body products.  Check out http://www.nettlesnatural.com.au/ for more information.

Moisturised is how your lips will feel while using our lip balm. Added shea butter nourishes your skin while bees wax helps to protect from further moisture loss.
Just one of the great products from Nettles Natural.
Loads of stall holder feature pages to come.  Stay tuned...

Stall holders keen to be a part of our exciting new market experience

The Darlington Community Markets look set to be a fantastic celebration of the talent we have in the Scenic Rim area and beyond with stall holders already showing their enthusiasm for our markets by booking sites.  Over the coming weeks we will begin to showcase some of our stall holders and their products to give a glimpse of what visitors can expect from a day out at the Darlington Community Markets on Sunday 4th September, 2011.

Join us for a unique way to celebrate Father's Day; 3 legged races, tug-o-war, displays and loads of family entertainment.  Scrumptious homemade food and locally sourced coffee, free entertainment for the kids, a day out in the country with a fantastic market vibe; what more could you ask for...

Email Kay Tommerup tommerups@bigpond.com or phone 0400 076 556 for further information.