For 50 years the Ostend Market has been a social hub and meeting place for Waihekeans and the volunteers who run it, the stallholders and their regular customers often grow into their own closely bonded community within a community. The market has also launched a slew of successful local businesses and for decades Penny Holmes and Jill Mallinson have been the two lynchpins holding everything together as market co-ordinators.
But with a major milestone for the market just a couple of months away, both Penny and Jill agree it’s time to let a new generation take the reins. Penny says co-ordinating the market is a huge job, and both her and Jill are looking to slow down and take a step back though they still want to be involved in the market – but in a slightly less full-on role.
• Paul Mitchell
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