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
