Fairs, Markets, Shops and Centres

Antiques dealer and fair organiser Marcus Potts is an Art Deco and early 20th century ceramics man, but he is an absolute mine of information on vintage toys.

Antique Church Furnishings, which describes itself as ‘God’s Furniture since 1985’, sells almost everything in the religious line – from chasubles to crucifixes and misericordes to missal stands.

According to Wikipedia, the medieval city of Norwich had at one time 36 parish churches, the largest collection of urban medieval buildings north of the Alps.

Antique pine furniture has many followers who buy it battered and cheap and simply ‘tart it up’ with an invariably low degree of skill and taste to sell on.

Mid-century design, particularly furniture, continues to be one of the most sought-after within the vintage genre, particularly by designers and decorators.

If you want to find something unusual in the book and ephemera line, then head to one of the fairs held by the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association (PBFA).

Sharon Blagrove of Bentleys Fairs has launched an ambitious double venture called UK Fairs.com involving an online fairs directory and a printed guide.

The next three Frock Me vintage fashion fairs this year will be held at the Kensington Town Hall, instead of its usual venue, Chelsea Town Hall, which is being refurbished.

House enhanced by the great architect hosts fresh July fair which is already half booked by dealers wanting to stand.

Karen Dalmeny is a well-known face not only from antiques programmes Dickinson’s Real Deal and Secret Dealers on ITV, but also on the fairs circuit where she is a standholder.

Author and dealer in memorabilia ready for busy year which is centenary of landmark act that gave women in the UK the vote for the first time

The antiques-rich Devon town of Honiton was famed for its bobbin lacemaking since the 16th century when it was introduced by Flemish refugees.

Dedicated to those who campaigned for 50 years for the right of women to vote, the Museum of London is currently holding an exhibition of images and objects chosen from the museum’s vast collections of suffragette material.

Portable lighters appeared in the early 20th century, with Dunhill being the most collectable name and watch lighters regarded as most covetable.

As well as being an actor, playing Alfie Moon, the landlord of the Queen Vic pub in the soap EastEnders, Shane Richie is a singer and last year recorded a country music album.

Northcote Road is a half-mile stretch of road which runs between Clapham and Battersea in south London which is well-known for chain restaurants and bars. It is also renowned, though, for its independent businesses, some of which have been there for 30 years.

Fair organiser expands in the north by taking over vacant Harrogate showground slot.

The textiles archive at the Sunny Bank Mills at Farsley, near Leeds in West Yorkshire, which was founded in 1829, is a fascinating piece of textiles history.

“We aim to be the largest bricks and mortar antiques centre in Europe with the largest website,” says Robert Miller, managing director of Hemswell Antique Centres.

A specialist fair in London that was put together at top speed in under two weeks, with Christmas in the middle, has been judged a resounding success by the organiser Two C’s Fairs.