Now in its 13th year, Galloway Fairs’ August fine art and antiques fair at Stonyhurst College is one of Galloway’s smallest. The select event, whose focus is on quality rather than quantity, ran from August 15 to 17.
Susan Galloway of Galloway Fairs said, “We have been organizing fairs for 15 years now. Stonyhurst College is one of our earliest ventures, usually running in February and October. The school is being refurbished this October, so they invited us to take an August date instead. We were aware that upmarket events are generally fewer in the summer, but Stonyhurst is also a spectacular summer venue. We have a loyal core of exhibitors and regular visitors from the wider community †including the cities of Bradford, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Preston. Although the February and October events are a good balance, this switch to August added a new dimension.”
Galloway added that the big change at Stonyhurst this year was that the firm responded to a demand from both the trade and the public and lifted its 1950 dateline for art in order to admit recent and even contemporary pieces. “We are the last of the UK organizers of room-setting fairs to have made the change and are satisfied with the added appeal,” she said.
Mike Fletcher of Bottlebrook Antiques, Derby, specializes in fine porcelain as early as the Eighteenth Century, particularly Derby and Royal Worcester. He also brings compatible glass and silver. “We have been regulars at Stonyhurst for ten years now. Sales were particularly strong on Friday’s opening day and remained steady throughout the weekend,” he said.
Said Mike Melody of Melody Antiques, Cheshire, “We did well over the three days. Yes, August is usually a quiet month, but Stonyhurst College is very well known in this part of Lancashire, and beyond †as a private school, stately home and antiques venue. The event is always strongly supported by locals.”
According to Mark Buckley Antiques, West Yorkshire, “This year, as a summer event, Stonyhurst College didn’t have the same urgency or rapid-fire trading associated with other times of the year. In a way, that was no bad thing. I picked up several leads at the fair and have several appointments with prospective customers wishing to consider purchases in situ †including several pieces of furniture and a Masson bronze.”
“I had a very good fair,” stated David Deacon of Angling Antiques Limited, Durham. “Strongest sales were in Hardy fishing reels. In the UK, the fishing season closes only in December and January. Both halves of my customers †collectors and users alike †are always on the lookout. In that respect, my trade isn’t quite as seasonal as some of the others.”
No date has been set for next February’s Stonyhurst College event. Galloway Fairs runs 17 room-setting, datelined events each year. Show hours are 10:30 am to 5 pm. The remaining events for 2008 are as follows: September 26′8, Crown Hotel, Harrogate; October 3‵, Hopetoun House, Edinburgh; November 7‹, Duncombe Park, Helmsley; November 14‱6, Scone Palace, Perth; and November 28-30, Alnwick Castle, Alnwick.
For information, www.gallowayfairs.co.uk or +44 1423 522122.
