Latest News Articles by Joan Porter
‘It’s a perfect time to collect postcards’
17 March 2025It’s time for the annual Festival of Cards when 60-plus dealers will head to Junction 24, an events centre in North Petherton, near Bridgwater, Somerset, on Thursday and Friday, March 28-29.
In focus: Antiques shops in the historic city of Carlisle
10 March 2025The Cumbrian city of Carlisle has much going for it including a medieval cathedral and proximity to Hadrian’s Wall. The city also offers a few antiques and vintage businesses, so here are three to start you off.
Ben Cooper promises to keep up high standards of Petersfield fair
10 March 2025Dealer and organiser will take over the reins of the biannual event but still under the Penman banner
Martin makes an appearance at Torquay monthly event
03 March 2025The star attaction at Stephen Large’s third monthly antiques fair at the Livermead House Hotel in Torquay on Sunday, March 23, is TV personality Paul Martin.
IACF happy at healthy bookings
03 March 2025Organiser’s first event at the Norfolk Showground after taking over from Aztec will be held later this month
Epsom on course for Sundays
24 February 2025Organiser hopes shift to weekend for a monthly event will boost visitor and trader numbers
Be early to book at Norfolk car boot
24 February 2025It might be a bit previous to start thinking about summer events but the Norfolk Churches Trust is encouraging people to apply early for pitches at its Stately Car Boot Sale to be held on Sunday, May 4, in the grounds of the privately owned Sennowe Park, near Fakenham in north Norfolk.
White door opens to a greenhouse
24 February 2025Elise Harris, an antiques dealer in Pangbourne, runs White Door Brocante events held in country house settings in southern England.
Good furniture is ‘doing well’ says longstanding dealer
17 February 2025Huddersfield dealer who started out in the trade 35 years ago talks of current selling trends
Famous visitor had been Biden her time to buy
17 February 2025Celebrities and politicians are often spotted hunting for antiques at fairs, markets and centres including singer Taylor Swift who is a fan of Portobello Road Market and Boris and Carrie Johnson, seen recently at Sunbury Antiques Market at Kempton Park.
First Wilton fair of the year ‘will be brimming’
17 February 2025Mikaela and Roger Boon’s well-supported biannual vintage fair in the village of Wilton, near Salisbury, has its first outing of the year on Saturday, March 1, in the Michael Herbert Hall.
Publicity and promotion boosted event’s profile
10 February 2025A fairs organiser who put the high footfall at a new event he launched last year down to “intense promotion” is back at the same venue next month.
Organiser of town centre events across southern England launches another in the capital
10 February 2025An events specialist who has cornered the market for antiques and vintage street fairs across southern England for the past 10 years is moving in towards central London.
Book fair opportunity to celebrate Austen birthday
10 February 2025This year is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth in 1775 and among the many celebratory events is Miss Austen, a four-episode drama currently airing on BBC 1, which is based on the novelist’s sister Cassandra.
GB Antiques closes its doors after 34 years due to running costs rise
03 February 2025A family-owned antiques centre in Lancaster is set to close its doors after 34 years in business.
Scarborough antiques trail attracting visitors
03 February 2025Local businesses in the Yorkshire seaside town say trail pilot has shown encouraging signs so far
Kent dealer Paul Ellison detects need for fresh fairs
27 January 2025After standing at numerous events for a year, trader with marketing and sales background starts his own
Dorking doubles up for now on venues
27 January 2025“Even though there were no fairs from May to October last year due to the closure of the Dorking Halls, we were lucky enough to have the use of the sports centre next door which thankfully proved to be a great success,” says Jane Alexander, organiser of the well-known Dovehouse Fine Antiques Fairs.
Mills generate range of opportunities
27 January 2025Two antiques centres operate at Cromford Mills in Matlock, Derbyshire.
Disused stations: an alternative sales platform
20 January 2025Former railway stations – plus one still active – can be ideal sites to locate antiques businesses