Is it the end of an era?

After the very low turnout of car booters at the August sale the question is being asked if they are worth continuing with?

Cowbridge Rotary have been running the sales for almost 25 years and previously have welcomed up to 60 boots on the second Sunday of the month.

However, since the restart after Covid, sellers numbers have dropped to the last sale seeing just seven sellers attend.

Income from the sales has allowed the club to make significant funds available to many different causes such as TyHafan, Amelia Trust Farm, Longmeadow Court, local schools etc.

A club spokesperson said: "We know this work has been very much appreciated by residents locally as is seen below from one of the sellers who attended the last sale."

Deborah Davies said: "My daughter and myself would like to say a huge thank you to every Cowbridge Rotary Club volunteer that were in attendance on Sunday 13 August boot sale.

"The weather wasn't great but that did not dampen your commitment or cloud your sense of duty or welcoming smiles and warm welcome that you gave to each stall/boot seller, there were only a few selling, which as you say is disappointing and we have noticed over a few months how sadly numbers of sellers have fallen away.

"I was born and bred in Cowbridge in the early 60s until the late 70s and I remember the invaluable work within our community that the Rotary Club carried out during this time in our market town.

"And how important it is when people support the events you arrange so as to support the much needed funds that enables you to be able to continue this invaluable work in the market town and community.

"The boot sale is of benefit in my opinion (I know everyone has one) not only to the car boot seller, Rotary Club but also to local businesses, coffee shops etc , as it brings extra footfall into the town. 

"So once again a massive thank you for yesterday and all your voluntary work . And to the wonderful people who still attended and stopped to chat, buy ,browse and engage you were all wonderful.

"So if your reading this please try and support the September boot sale and the amazing community work it enables to happen".

The club responded by saying: "We at the club thank Deborah for her kind words and just hope that others will now take up the challenge and make it a worthwhile event.

"All our profits go to the work of the club, we do not commercially profit and every pitch we have, as well as parking is on hard standing.

"So we will give September another go and see from attendance if its worth going on with."