If once a month is not enough to get your rummaging needs met or you are looking for something bigger, our regular stall holder Alexa has a warehouse full of interesting and quality finds. I took a trip out to Danderhall to see for myself after perusing their new website, http://www.retropolisedinburgh.co.uk/. 
Its just outside Edinburgh at 684 Old Dalkeith Road, turn off the road when you see the shed shop. 

In my search for an antique receipt holder (don't ask) I found this amazing website where  the featured 'show and tell' is antique office equipment, which I have a ever expanding collection of (as illustrated by my salvaged Dryad guillotine). Now, I find myself not only searching round carboots and charity shops looking for treasures but also coveting other people's finds on line - can this be healthy? See for yourself... http://www.collectorsweekly.com/

Tea in the Park?

This Saturday is the return of Leith Festival Gala Day on Leith Links and the Drill Hall cafe is taking our monthly Bruncheon event, our coffee machine and plenty of cakes and biscuits down Easter road to join in the fun! 

There are usually quite a few stalls selling all manor of old, new, vintage and handmade items so come along and say hello, have a rummage and enjoy the party. 

(ps. if it rains - music & food back at the drill hall)  

For the full programme visit: http://www.leithfestival.com

Thanks for everyone's patience on Friday during the first hour of booking for June's Flea Market. We have now sold out of the pitches but feel free to call and leave your details if you want us to notify you of any cancellations. 

Thanks

If only the weather here was always as sunny as it was for May's Flea Market we could set up outside like they do at St Lawrence Sunday Antiques fair in downtown Toronto. If you missed me on the 26th it was because I was there, looking to see if I could pick up a vintage souvenir that would fit in my suit case. If you are ever in Toronto, I can certainly recommend a  visit - it is a bit pricier than our own Drill Hall Flea Market but over twice the size. 

http://www.stlawrencemarket.com/

Hopefully we'll have a repeat of last weekend's weather this Saturday & Sunday because the Meadow's festival is back http://meadowsfestival.3st.org.uk/, last year I picked up some great bargains from the oxfam stall and bumped into loads of familiar flea market faces. 

JUNE PITCHES

Booking for June the 30th Flea Market will start this Friday June 1st at 10am. 
To book a pitch please call 555 7100 or come into the cafe. Pitches are £15 and to hire one of our trestle tables is £5. 
The phone does get very busy so please just keep trying!
Thanks, 
Stephanie

The story behind the stall

At the centre of Out of the Blue's April Flea Market was Janice Clark's stall. A stall which represented her parents' life. Jack and Irene Clark lived on Dalmeny Street for 50 years and Janice herself since she was 5.  Janice remembers when the Flea Market's venue, Out of the Blue was used for its original purpose, a military drill hall. Due to the sad death of her Mother in August 2011 and her father moving, a clear out of the family home was required.  And while Janice gave many items to charity, there are a few which she wanted to see go to a good home. One such item, a silver teapot, was sold to an elderly couple who appreciated the tea-stained inside, which must have used in so many family situations in the Dalmeny Street house. This was the same house which Janice played with her doll "Patch", Cindy's younger sister. The freckled doll was on sale with her original brownie outfit. Also on sale was a box full of knitting patterns and the needles Janice's mother used. There was also a box full of Janice's father tools, which he worked with daily in his job as an electrician.  And when not working, Jack spent his free time on the bowling green, which was overlooked by the family's house.  His lawn bowls bag, with 4 "JC" engraved bowls, his jersey and all the equipment were in need of a good home. There was a potential sale to a man whose father plays bowls and with "JC" initials. A phone call later resulted in the bowls being the wrong size. However, a few minutes later the items were snapped up by another man, purchased for his father. 

Janice says how she found the whole experience quite cathartic. The stall was full of CDs, 70's ties, plates and books but more importantly, a lot of wonderful memories.  

Words & Photos by Mary O'Connell