It's that time again! Join us for an evening of celebration and community fun.
After our plans for a Saturday event have been rearranged due to massive storms two years in a row we’ve decided to listen to Mother Nature and hold another cosy night market – we hope you’ll join us!
What: An evening of warm and welcoming festive fun, in collaboration with the Eco Market Collective
When: Wednesday, December 10th, 5pm–8pm.
Where: Railway Gardens, end of Adeline Street, Splott
Is it free to come in? Definitely!
Do you need volunteers? Yes please! See below
- You’ll find hot food options from Mammi Maggie, with West African specialities, and Seal and Bear Cafe
- The SAFE Foundation will be offering sustainably sourced coffee, hot chocolate, and more from Betty the Bus.
- The Railway Gardens team will be serving up steaming mulled wine and non-alcoholic spiced apple to raise funds for the project – please bring your own cup if you can! Plus we’ll have a tasty cake stall.
- Or grab yourself a drink from the Bike Bar!
This year our friends at the wonderful EcoMarket Collective are planning a market packed with indepndent and local ethical and sustainable traders. There will be plenty to choose from including…
- Bombus: Upcycled, zero waste & low impact fashion
- goodShed: Handmade wood crafts made from reclaimed materials
- The Ethical Boutique: Beautiful preloved and vintage clothing
- Gorse and Gossamer Handmade, sustainable slow fashion inspired by wild landscapes and delicate details
- Abstract Akerele: Cardiff-based artist and printmaker offering locally inspired designs.
- Gower Gems: jewellery and gifts using recycled sterling silver copper and semi precious stones.
- Biscuit Pictures: Photography cards and prints
- Just Jo: Upcycled and handmade goodies and gifts
- Wool Witch: beautiful crocheted gifts
- Knot & Flame: Unique and ethical candles
- Zan Ceramics: colourful ceramics handmade in Cardiff
- Beanie Girl Crafts: handmade accessories and treat
- Ffrilli Jilli: Upcycled art and clothing made in Wales
- AFRIKAP: Ankara print plastic free apparel.
- Crafty Microbes: science inspired crochet and crafts
- Mayart: sustainably printed artwork and cards
- The Snuggly Squirrel: Handcrafted crochet necklaces and unique accessories.
- Charlotte Formosa Art: Eccentric Welsh artist offering paintings, prints and stickers
inspired by myth, folklore & nature - The Railway Gardeners: Plants and seeds from the Gardens
- Spiral Leaf: Handmade silver and macrame jewellery and leather bags by Pin and Alys from Thailand and Wales.
- PLUS: Mystic Henna by Ashleiy, Upcycled by Jane, Kaylee’s creations, and Floella Smiles.
Scheduled activities
5:15 -6pm: Snuggle up for cosy winter tales with storyteller Tamar Eluned Williams
6:30 – 7pm: Carolling with Songbirds Choir
7pm: Join the Snow Queen for a magical journey through the songs and stories of Christmas
7:30pm: Community Christmas Singalong! Join Thoby to belt out your favourite Christmas classics
All evening
- Tunes from DJ Grooveslave
- Make a traditional foraged kissing bunch to decorate your home (by donation)
- Drop in to the toy, game, and book exchange to find a treat! More info below…
- Plus keep an eye out for a special visit from the Mari Lwyd!
This is a great chance to have a clearout before Christmas and to pick up some free gifts and treats! This is a ‘bring what you have, take what you need’ event so everything is free! We do ask everyone to follow a few guidelines when deciding what to bring:
👍 Yes please:
- Working toys with all their parts and pieces
- Clean cuddly toys
- Children’s books
- Jigsaw puzzles with all of their pieces
- Craft sets or supplies in useable condition
- Board games suitable for any age
- Outdoor toys – if it’s something larger (like a play house or a slide) please bring a picture of it with details of when and how it can be collected, or email a picture and details to hannah@greensquirrel.co.uk
👎 No thank you
- Broken, damaged, or dirty items – please don’t bring anything you wouldn’t be happy to receive yourself
- Jigsaw puzzles or games with pieces missing
- Magazines
- Used sticker, puzzle or activity books
- Baby equipment (car seats, bottles etc)
- Any items that aren’t toys, children’s books, or board games.
You can drop items off with us on:
- Tuesday 2nd, 9:30am – 2:30pm
- Wednesday 3rd, 9:30am – 4:30pm
- Thursday 4th, 9:30 – 3:30pm
- Friday 5th, 10:30am – 12:30pm
- Tuesday 2nd, 9:30am – 2:30pm
- Or on the day! Any time from 10am
Please don’t leave items outside of our gates as they are likely to get damaged – or we might get in trouble with Cardiff council for flytipping!
It’s really important to us that this event treads lightly on our planet.
Here’s what we do to make sure the Winter Fair is sustainable:
- We print all promo material on recycled and recyclable material, and make sure we don’t print more than we need.
- For big events like this we can’t use real crockery so we choose sustainable single use items and we compost every single cup that’s used.
- We work with the Eco Market collective to choose traders who use reclaimed and sustainable materials.
- We choose sustainable materials for our crafts, including carefully foraging for any greenery used. We are a glitter free zone!
- We ensure all leftover toys from the swap go to a good home.
How you can help:
- If possible please do bring your own reusable mug, beaker, bowl or cutlery for food and drink. We have an outdoor sink with hot water where you can wash things up before going home.
- Please look out for our special bins for compostable cups etc so we can keep those out of landfill.
- Please don’t smoke or vape on site, and please put cigarette butts into the bin on the front gate – we keep finding butts in beds and plant pots after big events and it’s a bit grotty!
