NosDa flea market marks an emerging cultural landmark of Riverside

The organizer hoped it to be well-known as Riverside Farmers Market.

A collection of second-hand commodities could be seen in the flea market.

NosDa, a dynamic live music and open mic venue at the heart of Cardiff, is preparing itself for more cultural events, like a monthly flea market.

A flea market named “Car Less Car Boot” opened in NosDa with commodities ranging from vintage clothing to gift cards. The market was organized by Twin Made, a workshop teaching people how to sew creatively.

“I’m trying to encourage people to not buy new things and maybe sell on stuff that they’ve got home but no longer need,” said Charlotte Peacock, the founder of Twin Made.

Charlotte Peacock, the organizer of NosDa flea market

Charlotte brought self-made woolen hats, canvas bags and a tiny knitted Christmas Tree to the sale. She was knitting pom-poms for the preparation of a election map, which she did two years ago with her husband.

“It helps my husband before the general election to be calm,” said Charlotte. “It is a really nice way to get people to talk about politics without saying ‘I hate that’ ‘I don’t like this’.”

Charlotte was making pom-poms to prepare for the election map this year.
The election map made by Charlotte and her husband in 2017 (photo provided by Charlotte Peacock)

The market also drew artistic collections. Stephen and Aidan had a stall of old magazines and paintings from the artists in South Wales. They said their sale will go to the charity fund.

“You know, every artist gets loads of paintings and they just clear them out, and sell them maybe with less money than selling them in art gallery. But at least it goes to charity money, which is cool,” said Stephen.

Stephen(right) and Aidan(left) came to clear out some artistic work from their friends
A collection of paintings and books

Sam Watterson, a graphic designer and teacher, shared his asymmetrical collages in the flea market. He said he is into the aesthetics of balance, sticking to a combination of patterns and abstract.

Sam’s collages are mostly asymmetrical

“I like making works, but I have to get out, at least to share, to see people’s reaction, whether they like or not. And it helps to inform what to focus on making. You know ultimately you want to somehow to share and affect people’s thoughts and emotion.”

Sam has lived in Beijing and Ho Chi Minh City for the past seven years. He said he could sense community more often in Communism worlds. While staying in Beijing, he sold his work for twice with one time in an old market in south Beijing which he really likes.

“I think market is a really good way to get to know more local people. It is more interactive,” said he.

Sam is into the community sense generated by markets

Charlotte wanted the flea market to become another cultural landmark in Riverside, like the famous Farmers’ Market held every Sunday next to River Taff. “I think people will slowly know this. This is a good sense of community,” said she.