Shepton is our largest fair, in the Bath & West Showground, just down the road from the charming Somerset town of Shepton Mallet. Here we have a chance to create our own environment in one of the fair’s shopping arcades (we are always in Arcade No 6 – about a hundred yards on the left from the Fair’s entrance) – a much more exciting prospect than setting out a few tables in one of the big sheds. It also gives us a chance to bring a wider variety of stock than we would normally carry – including material associated with rural industries, larger scale sculpture and furniture too.
Confronted with an empty tent, it feels a bit like setting up an exhibition in a gallery – but having to do it in 3 hours, without any solid walls to work from. We first dress the tent walls with fabric, set out and hang pictures and finally set out the tables and arrange the objects. Daisy the dog is briefed to welcome visitors and provide basic information on our stock and at 12 o’clock the show opens!
Images are from last week’s fair, when the sun shone and the crowds roamed free.
Shepton Mallet Antiques and Collectors’ Fair
Posted in Fairs
