Puzzles, toys, art and kitsch, glass, cups, televisions…. It is a regular fixture in Tiendeveen: the church’s annual flea market on the first Saturday of June. The villagers are always there early to see if there is something nice among the things. “People are really looking forward to it. They set the date in their agendas long in advance,” says coordinator Roelof Grit.
The market has already started in 1978 and thus has a long tradition. „The money that was collected in the first year was intended for the organ fund,” Grit recalls. “The new organ was built partly thanks to the proceeds from the market.” A year later, the money was spent on a new association building next to the church, for which donations were also received and actions were held. That building is also there. The flea markets continued in the years that followed. Grit: “With the money the church stewards get financial scope for the maintenance of the church. The proceeds from the upcoming market are intended for a new kitchen. It is about forty years old and in dire need of replacement. The new kitchen has already been purchased, but the old one is still in service during the flea market. For example, we need a place to serve coffee and prepare snacks. As soon as the market is over, we will start installing the new kitchen.” Grit, himself a roofer by profession, proudly says that almost all maintenance and renovation work in and around the church is carried out by handy volunteers from the building committee. . A flea market was already held in Nieuw Balinge on 14 May.
Hamburgers
Grit emphatically states that he does not manage the market on his own, but is assisted by a group of men and women. He himself takes care of the PR and the permit, among other things. “This year it was easier than before. All we had to do was register and pay no fees. That hurts again. ”On the market itself no fewer than eighty volunteers are active to ensure that everything runs smoothly. They sell homemade pastries, patties, hamburgers or ice cream, and grandma’s home-baked bread will certainly appeal to everyone’s taste. Snacks and drinks are available in the space in front of the church, while books and electrical appliances are sold in the building itself. The women’s association can also be found here with a stand. The items that are offered for sale have recently been collected and are or are still in storage. “We mainly sell small stuff,” Grit explains. “It is difficult to get rid of large items, such as furniture, if they are not sold. If you have to dispose of stuff to the landfill, that also costs money and that in turn is deducted from the proceeds of the market. Leftover crockery goes to an aid project in Romania, leftover wood and coarse plastic to a processor.” During the flea market, visitors can try their luck at various raffles with a chance to win great prizes.
Grit is happy that the flea market will be organized again after corona. Born and raised in Tiendevene, he has always been a member of the church and also involved in church life and the various campaigns that were launched. “Unfortunately, due to the decline in the number of people, we can no longer do as much as we used to, such as the 24-hour actions for Hungary. Apart from all activities, it is important to have a life of faith. It’s nice that you can be guided by your faith in everyday life.”
The flea market will be held on Saturday 4 June at the church at Kerkweg 3 Tiendeveen from 8.30 am to 12 noon.