A COMMUNITY fundraising experiment, first tested two years ago, has turned into one of Whitchurch Rotary’s biggest success stories.

Back in autumn 2022, Rotarians were generously offered a field, close to the popular lake at Alderford in Tilstock Road, to organise a series of three trial car boot sales.

The results were promising so, last year, the project was extended to six events from April to October – taking a break only when the field was in use for the massive Alderfest weekend of live music.

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By the end of the year, the sales were attracting a loyal following of sellers and buyers alike.

And they were generating valuable income to finance Rotary’s programme of support for community charities and causes, health projects like the prostate and blood pressure screening tests, and the hot Christmas meals that they cook and deliver to elderly and disabled people on Christmas morning.

“Last year became a bumper season with the sales growing into one of the biggest fundraisers in our calendar,” says Rotary organiser Brian Acty.

“Buyers are even happy to pay the nominal £1 entrance fee because they knew how much we desperately need to raise in order to continue our work.

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“It’s what we call a ‘four-way win’ – with sellers generating income, buyers picking up bargains, Rotary raising money and community causes benefiting from the extra support we can give.”

This year’s six car boot sales take place on the first Sunday of each month – apart from July – and the first event of 2024 is at Alderford on Sunday, April 7, opening to buyers at 9am.

Sellers are able to set up on site from 8am with charges ranging from £10 to £15.