From left to right, Luke Mouawad, 11, Mursal Mohammadi, 10 and Maria Souza, 11 from Sir John Lillie Primary School
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Artistic youngsters have drawn colourful designs on canvas bags celebrating North End Road market to be sold at its traffic-free event this weekend.
Pupils were inspired by the fruit and veg and other products on sale when they decorated the bags with permanent markers in time for the pedestrianised event in Fulham on Saturday, 27 June.
Children from Sir John Lillie and Melcombe primary schools, both in Fulham, took part after being invited by Mark Richardson, a member of the North End Road Action Group. The group, which comprises residents, businesses and councillors, works to revive North End Road as a vibrant place to shop and eat.
Mark said: “We want children and their parents to get to know the market and I thought this would be a fun way of doing that. Not everybody realises that the market is a great place to shop. You can get cheap and healthy food, and food from all over the world.
“You’re buying products from people rather than a supermarket shelf. If you don’t know how to cook something they will tell you how to cook it. I think if people can learn to shop in the market when they’re young, they will carry on doing it for the rest of their lives.”
More than 200 children aged seven to 11 took part from Sir John Lillie Primary School.
Deputy headteacher, Lee Duffy, said: “The children took to the project with great gusto and enthusiasm. A lot of the children use the road for shopping and were very excited about having their bags sold at the market.
“The children really enjoyed it while learning a lot about design and technology.”
The bags were donated by Dove Farm Foods. One of the owners of the Wiltshire-based company lives in Fulham and is such a fan of the market she was keen to help.
North End Road’s traffic-free Summer Market will be packed with stalls selling great gifts, beautiful crafts, jewellery and art, stylish clothes, delicious food and refreshing drinks.
There will also be a children’s funfair and live music on Saturday June 27.
Visit our North End Road Market web page to find out more.
