Dear Vendors

It's hard to believe that another year has flown past and that we are gearing up for A Blooming Affair again. We are working full steam ahead with the planning and marketing for our 14th annual A Blooming Affair Garden & Craft Market Day.

For those of you who are new to our event, the highly anticipated A Blooming Affair Garden & Craft Market Day, established in 2010, is a celebration of the beauty of nature and the creativity of human hands. The event transforms Roedean School (SA) into an explosion of colour and delight. Visitors wander among the stalls, browse the wares of talented artisans and craftspeople, and revel in the beauty of the gardens. There is something for everyone at A Blooming Affair, from delicious food to bespoke quality goods to stunning displays of flora.

While some of our vendors have been with us from the very first market, we are so pleased that we have had an influx of new vendors who are preparing to showcase their fantastic products this year. Please reach out to other stall owners that you think may fit our market and ask them to get in touch with us, so that we can continue to expand our craft market and fundraising efforts.

Funds raised at A Blooming Affair go towards our educational charities.  We are ever thankful to everyone who has helped us to raise funds for the charities that are so near and dear to our hearts.  Our primary beneficiary is the Roedean Academy. 

The Roedean Academy is an initiative spearheaded by Roedean School (SA) that aims to provide additional tuition for scholars from under-resourced schools. Roedean has established a world-class training environment that is sustainable, and which is having a significant influence on South Africa’s English, Mathematics, and Physical Science/Accounting education for girls from under-resourced communities. We have partnered with the neighbouring Barnato Park High School to provide tuition in Mathematics, English, Accounting and Physical Science to up to 100 girls in Grades 8 to 12.

In preparation for our market this year, we are sending out an invitation to vendors to reply and secure their position on a first-come, first-serve basis. Our usual setup will continue in that each vendor will be under cover, either in a marquee, classroom, hall or natural shade. The space allocated will have two trestle tables which will be set up in a line or at right angles. 

This year we are offering a 10% discount on stall fees for pensioners and Roedean staff/students/alumni. Should you wish to apply for this discount, simply send us an email with a copy of your ID and you will be given your 10% discount.

Please remember that our event is a charitable fundraising event, and we therefore require a minimum 15% event donation to our cause from the day’s takings, including any orders received. 

Roedean School (SA) is a cash-free zone, and A Blooming Affair will therefore be a cashless event. Please note that NO CASH is allowed for security reasons, and we ask that you please honour this policy. 

Due to the tiring cash up process in the past, combined with some vendors not donating their 15% or accepting cash, we have decided that we shall follow the Kamer’s model, and provide card machines for all vendors this year. We are hoping that this will speed up the process for the end of the day, so that everyone can get home asap, as well as helping us balance the books easily. All you would need to provide beforehand is your recent bank letter, and we will ensure that your funds are deposited into your account quickly. 

Should you be interested in holding a stall this year, we request you secure your position by responding to Pam Hayward at abagardenmarket@gmail.com with proof of payment before 10 July 2025. Stalls will be reserved on a first-come first-serve basis. If we do not receive your confirmation before the end of June, your position will be offered to vendors on the waiting list. You will then be placed on the waiting list, and we will notify you should a position become available at a later date. 

Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Pam Hayward at abagardenmarket@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you soon. 

King regards

Pam Hayward
A Blooming Affair Garden & Craft Market Day
Event Organiser