Naturally North Coast & Glens

Membership

Contributing to a good local market as a member means contributing to its sustainability, and receiving the benefits that we can provide to our members.

In the four years since we began, our markets have become vibrant celebrations of our local artisan producers, artists, makers, bakers and crafters. We have watched small businesses start up and develop, become more sustainable and provide an income for the owner, attended many events with our markets, supported our local community, and introduced Naturally North Coast and Glens to carry on the good work that started with the Ballycastle Town Market Group.

Market Categories

Category 1 – Primary Produce

Includes eggs, fruit, vegetables, herbs, meat, fish, seafood, cheese, milk, butter, ice cream, honey and bee products, wine, cider, fruit juices, flowers and plants. Plants may include planted baskets if wholly grown and arranged by the producer.

Category 2 – Hand Made Consumable products

Includes ready-made meals, condiments, confectionery, preserves, drinks, cakes and desserts whose principal ingredients are primary farm produce from category one. Products which are not considered as 'Artisan' may not be permitted.

All processed goods must contain at least one ingredient of origin from within Northern Ireland (not merely bought locally). The minimum local ingredient is 10% of each product.

Category 3 – Hand Made Items

Includes quality products hand crafted locally by the trader.

Category 4 – Hand Made Jewellery

Includes locally high quality hand crafted jewellery which has been hand made by the trader

Category 5 – Art

Includes art in all its forms, including paintings, photographs which has been produced by the trader.

Membership Criteria

Produce and products offered for sale should be produced or crafted within the North Coast and Glens Area - (within 30 road miles of Ballycastle).
Traders must grow, rear, produce or hand make the products they are selling. Commercially produced, Franchise, second hand items, items not considered as artisan or high quality and items not made by the seller are not typically permitted.
The trader must be a direct employee of the business and involved in the production process.
No genetically modified (GM) produce or produce containing GM ingredients may be sold at the market.
Traders’ Businesses must comply with all local and national laws and legislations regarding the production, labelling, display, storage and sale of goods. You must also comply with the relevant Food Safety Regulations and relevant Trading Standards legislation.
There are 5 categories of producers recognised by the market. In order to participate in the Town Market you must fit into one of the categories.
All traders must trade with us once as a casual trader before applying for membership

Exceptions to the criteria for participation will be at the discretion of the committee and in the best interests of the Market.
Exceptions may also be made for products which are not available locally or to respond to consumer demand.
In the event of any dispute regarding inclusion and all other matters relating to trading, the decision of the committee shall be final and no correspondence or discussion shall be entered into.

If you are a producer, baker, maker, artist or crafter, and you produce high quality goods in the North Coast and Glens Area ( the 30 road miles surrounding Ballycastle), and want to develop your small business or grow a current one, or are looking for another outlet with low overheads which gives you direct communication with your customers, get in touch – we would love to work with you to help bring your products to your customers.

Our members work together to provide the vibrant and dynamic market you may have visited or heard about. We promote a strong team ethos, and all our members contribute in their own way to help develop and support the market. The members form a strong supportive community, and many have found this network invaluable.

All individuals interested in applying for membership must trade with us once as a casual trader, before they receive a membership application pack. This is to allow you to test the market is right for you before applying, and also to allow the committee to check the standard of the goods you wish to sell with us, to ensure they meet the standards we expect before the membership application is made.

Trading Membership (£40 Per Annum, April – March)
Non Trading Membership (Free - Annum, April - March)

Benefits of Membership

We can offer our members benefits that would not be available to casual traders.

Members are given priority and will be offered the opportunity to book pitches first once markets open for booking
Members are offered a trading discount for each market and workshops.
Networking opportunities with other members and the opportunity to interact with the community
The chance to have your say and decide how the the group will go forward.
The opportunity to vote at the AGM and to join the management committee
Opportunities to volunteer to help the group
Inclusions in any Market workshops or training incentives as they arrive
Inclusions in any informative communication from the Market group
Opportunities to trade at many events with discounts where appropriate, where individually traders may not have the same opportunity.
Promotion on the BTM & Naturally North Coast & Glens Website & Social media.
Permission to use the Naturally North Coast & Glens Branding on your own products and marketing.
Permission to use the NNCG Promotional Materials, (stickers,tags etc - when developed) on your products.
Any other benefits as they become available to us.

Who may apply for membership?

Trading Membership will be open to anyone that meets the Trading Criteria and has an interest in assisting the group to achieve its aims and is willing to adhere to the group rules.
Non Trading Membership will be open to anyone who has an interest in assisting the Group to achieve its aims and is willing to adhere to the rules of the Group.
Traders interested in joining as a member must trade at one market (once) prior to applying for membership.
ALL Membership applications will be assessed and granted by majority vote by the committee.

Non Trading Membership

Non trading membership applications are open to those that want to make a meaningful, positive impact on the community by helping the group meet its aims and objectives.

Volunteering with the group can bring individuals many positive outcomes including

Learning or developing a new skill
Feeling part of your community
Gaining a sense of achievement
Boosting your career options
Developing new interests and hobbies
New experiences
Meeting a diverse range of people

Membership - The small print!

Member Responsibilities.

All members are expected to help where possible in assisting the group to achieve its aims and roles of its constitution.
The success of the Market group will depend on the commitment and support from ALL its members as a group
Members should assist in advertising the Market’s events where possible at the request of the marketing committee
Members should report issues and grievances following the documented procedure, to ensure they are dealt with effectively in a timely manner,
Members should feel part of the market group, and should be prepared to work with other members in the group to achieve the group’s aims and objectives.

Membership Rules and Regulations.

These Rules and Regulations form part of your membership agreement with the Naturally North Coast & Glens.
Membership runs from April - March. The membership fee is non refundable and non transferrable.
Members must agree to read and comply with the market trading guidelines and rules at all times.
Members assist the group in meeting its aims, and agree to assist in the advertising of the Group’s events where possible,
Members must read the Traders’ Manual and when acting in their capacity as a member of the Group they will act in the interests of the group as a whole and in a manner that contributes to the achievement and objectives of the group.
Members may not represent themselves as employees, or committee members of Naturally North Coast and Glens.
Members must not misrepresent the group on social media
Members must assist in fundraising efforts where possible, and contribute to the group in a positive manner.
Membership is non-transferable
Membership does not guarantee that trading spaces will be available. To secure market spaces, members must book and pay for pitches in advance
Members are asked to comply with the direction of Staff/Committee members when acting within the scope of their authority.
Members are reminded that disorderly conduct, including behaviour that disrupts and interferes with the orderly functioning of the market activities or disturbs, harasses, or distresses other traders or staff will not be tolerated.
Members are required to take upmost care of all the group property and facilities. Theft of or wilful damage to market property, however caused are criminal offences.

Applicable to all members regardless of position.

Where it is considered membership or member activity would be detrimental to the aims and activities of the Group the Management Committee shall have the power to refuse membership, or may terminate or suspend the membership of any member by resolution passed at a meeting at any time.
Members have the right to appeal via an independent adjudicator determined by mutual agreement of the Management Committee.
Any members of the association may resign his/her membership by providing the Secretary with written notice. Membership fees are non refundable.

Membership Agreement.

All members must sign the following agreement.

I hereby apply to join Naturally North Coast and Glens.

I agree to read and comply with the market trading guidelines and rules at all times. I understand that my membership fee is non refundable and non transferrable.

I will assist the group in meeting its aims, and agree to assist in the advertising of the Group’s events where possible, assist in fundraising efforts where possible, and contribute to the group in a positive manner.

I have read the Traders’ Manual and when acting in my capacity as a member of the Group I will act in the interests of the group as a whole and in a manner that contributes to the achievement and objectives of the group, and agree to read and comply with the market trading guidelines and rules at all times.

Where it is considered membership would be detrimental to the aims and activities of the Group I understand that the Committee shall have the power to refuse membership, or may terminate or suspend the membership of any member by resolution passed at a meeting at any time.

I understand that the membership application will be reviewed and the final decision will be made by committee by vote at the next committee meeting.

Please do not request a membership application pack unless

you have already registered with us as a casual trader and traded with us at one market