The Autumn Fairs & The Sywell Classic

Dressed For Autumn

It has been quite a while since I last blogged and the fair has been 'resting' since we broke up for summer back in July. With September upon us I thought it would be a good time to publish some information about the Autumn fairs which start with the Northampton Vintage Fair on 13th September.

The Autumn Vintage Season Starts Here

Quite coincidentally Northampton Heritage Open Days will be taking place on 13th September and free hop-on and off rides are available on classic vintage buses, all of the buses depart from George Row in the town centre (visitors to the fair can arrive in style, take the Northern Route and alight at St Matthew's). There will be two rooms of stalls, an 'old style' tea-room and a vintage market outside on the lawn, bring a picnic if the sun is shining. The last weekend in September will be a very exciting as I am organising the 'Vintage Village' inside Hangar One at Sywell Aerodrome, part of the Sywell Classic.

See Us At The Sywell Classic - 27th & 28th September

The first Sywell Classic took place last year and the event is likely to be busy, it is a mix of classic vehicles, driving and flying as well as evening entertainment and overnight camping. Sywell Aerodrome is a Second World War airfield that has been refurbished in a style influenced by Art Deco.

Sywell Aerodrome In Northamptonshire

The warmth of the sun may be but a distant memory when we return to the Royal Pump Rooms for the Leamington Fair in October although I am holding out for an Indian Summer.

Sunday 12th October - The Royal Pump Rooms

The fair will then dash across the Shires to Olney for the fair on the 18th. The stalls inside the charming Church Hall will be augmented by a small vintage market outside if the weather is good.

Olney - North Buckinghamshire

After a short pause for breath the fair will turn north to Lincolnshire for the Stamford Vintage Fair on 1st November.

The Second Of Our Two Visits To Stamford In 2014

August seemed to fly by however trips to Newark and the Blisworth Canal Festival produced some nice finds and I was kept busy preparing stock for our new display, Unit 45 at Brackley Antique Cellar.

Upcycled & Ready

I like original things in their original state however I also think that everything can be improved so when the original finish is damaged I like to paint! I tend to use acrylic eggshell (Little & Greene have some great colours) or chalk paint and wax.

Unit 45 - Brackley Antique Cellar

Quite a few of the units at Brackley display 'vintage' as well as traditional antiques and it is well worth a visit.

Painting By Numbers

I know any claim to 'taste' must lie in ruins but I have to admit a liking for well executed examples of paintings by numbers from the 1960s. I can imagine them hung as a group on a stairway.

A Collection Of French Boxes & Tins

We found the 'french collection' when we visited Newark, a lady had travelled over from Belgium especially for the fair and she had some lovely things. The mirrors were a great buy although I had to employ two pieces from an old "Escape From Colditz" game to repair one of them, it took ages - look closely before you buy!

A 1940s Print & Companion Dog

The print is from 1948 and was sold by Boots during the 1950s and the lovely dog on wheels complete with vintage patches were both finds from Newark. 

A Cute Bunny From The 1960s

Newark has something for everyone and if you look closely you will find some pretty things (I sound like Alec Guinness) underneath an old sack cloth or at the bottom of a box of clutter.

A Pretty 1930s Mirror

A crinoline lady complete with parosol walking through a cottage garden of delphiniums and hollyhocks appears so frequently in 1930s homewares and crafts. The painting on this small mirror is very delicate and in wonderful condition and it must have taken a long time to complete (actually it is a sort of 'painting by numbers', templates were provided in hobby and home magazines of the time). 

See You At The Fair!

Have a safe journey and see you at the fair.