Latest News Articles by Joan Porter
Taylor Swift shock revelation… famous engagement ring used to be something else
08 September 2025When American Footballer Travis Kelce proposed last month in a flower-bedecked arbour to singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, much of the press focus was on the heritage and rarity of the ring.
Grantham brocante back in play
08 September 2025With its expansive lawns, walled garden and riverside meadow, the Grade I-listed Grantham House, a townhouse hidden away in the centre of the Lincolnshire place of the same name, is the perfect spot for an antiques event.
Etc Fairs finds new venue in Bloomsbury
01 September 2025Among the logistical challenges many fair organisers face is the scheduling and sometimes rescheduling of dates at their chosen venues.
Centre hit by thieves closes but hopes to reopen soon
01 September 2025Although Old Bank Antiques in Royal Wootton Bassett closed on August 25, this is “likely to be a short-term measure, maybe six months,” says owner Jon White.
Dealer trio revive Wilton event
01 September 2025Fair near Salisbury launched in 2022 has come to an end but regular exhibitors are stepping in for fresh stagings
Royal National Hotel saves the day for Etc Fairs
28 August 2025Book and ephemera fairs organiser Etc Fairs’ usual London venue, Holiday Inn in Bloomsbury, is closed until February 2026 for refurbishment.
York National Book Fair ‘suits younger crowd’
25 August 2025While a Rowntree centenary brings historic interest, exhibitors are also focused on attracting fresh faces
Mills make a good vintage venue
25 August 2025Another day, another pop-up for So Last Century Fairs, which is trying out a new vintage market in London on Saturday, September 6.
Newsletter spreading the fair word is up to 2000 subscribers
18 August 2025A monthly newsletter sent out by interiors dealer Philip Crosthwaite, organiser of the Easton Antiques Fair in Norwich, is now reaching 2000 subscribers.
School’s out for pupils but in for art and antiques fans this August
18 August 2025Lomax launches third event in portfolio at location already hosting a separate biannual brocante
Take note of what drives demand
11 August 2025Paper money fair organiser and dealer describes the ‘highly collectable’ market she is fascinated by
Racecourse event ready to increase size indoor and out
11 August 2025As Field Dog Fairs, antiques dealer Charlotte Williams launched an antiques weekend 13 years ago at Southwell Racecourse in Nottnghamshire.
The Antiques Tourist: the trail becomes ever longer
04 August 2025Booklet covering art and antiques attractions in four counties is now double its orginal size
Record-breaking Birkin points to bags of potential in vintage accessories market
21 July 2025Sotheby’s €7m sale of the original Hermès Birkin handbag, custom made for late actress and singer Jane Birkin in 1985, has given some welcome exposure to the market for preloved luxury accessories. And for many of today’s collectors, vintage is best.
Button up for Blackdog’s roster of East Anglian brocante fairs
21 July 2025Kate Button of Blackdog Events tells us that the first summer brocante held in June in the atmospheric surroundings of the ruins of Creake Abbey in Norfolk was a success.
Arranging a vintage fair in a brewery
14 July 2025The Docker Brewery and Tap Room on the Five Acre Estate in Folkestone is the chosen easy-going venue for vintage clothing dealer Claire Burns’ new venture.
Remembering Gene Hoyle as Lytham firm holds closing sale
14 July 2025The death of Gene Hoyle, dealer and well-known fair organiser in northwest England has led to the closure of the business he and his wife Zara managed and ran.
Heydon village ‘can’t wait’ for August fair
14 July 2025Zoe Durrant-Keegan is the face behind Little Vintage Lover Fair which launched in 2008 and now runs two or three vintage fairs a year in north Norfolk.
Duo bring French flavour to Shropshire
07 July 2025A French-inspired fleamarket that was launched in June in the small Shropshire town of Whitchurch proved such a success it is now running monthly.
Hundreds of dealers at Kent event
07 July 2025Showground extravaganza run until recently by B2B continues to be a success under the new organiser