The Sheffield + Manchester Fairs over Christmas

[ndnewsham]

I must admit that i do miss the Bolton Fair at the Excel Centre that used to happen about 2-3 times a year. Was always packed when i went there but must be a few years since that last happened (unless my mind is failing me)

[Auchinleckian]

It's at least 5 years since they stopped, but the ones I latterly had stalls at were annual affairs run by Bolton stalwart Ruth Crawshaw.

First few I went to were very good, but the last two were verging on being loss makers. Lots of folk there, looking, but very few buying!

[BAZZABAGGIES]

The Bolton Fairs used to be very good but they died a death when they moved to the new ground.
One punter came in at one of the fairs and was been dragged around by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Wyn Davies turned up at the last one i did and a well known prominent dealer asked me who Wyn Davies was.

Other fairs up there used to be okay Blackpool Southport Everton Liverpool Stockport Man City Old Trafford CC, Tranmere Burnley Blackburn and Preston with the organiser of the latter fair not turning up to open up until 11 am for the dealers and the punters

Good old days

[blackburncollector]

Out of interest, where and when was the fair in Blackburn held as I don't have any memory of any in Blackburn.

Saying that, I'm probably as the younger end of people who sell and collect...

BAZZABAGGIES wrote:

The Bolton Fairs used to be very good but they died a death when they moved to the new ground. One punter came in at one of the fairs and was been dragged around by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Wyn Davies turned up at the last one i did and a well known prominent dealer asked me who Wyn Davies was. Other fairs up there used to be okay Blackpool Southport Everton Liverpool Stockport Man City Old Trafford CC, Tranmere Burnley Blackburn and Preston with the organiser of the latter fair not turning up to open up until 11 am for the dealers and the punters Good old days

_________________
Andy

[Posh1959]

Last fair i can remember at Blackburn was mid 80s, held underneath the old Nuttall St stand, i can remember two or three held there, probably early to mid 80s as Alan Clegg and John Bentley both had stalls.

[BAZZABAGGIES]

It was later than that Mid 1990s ? New stand Ronnie Clayton was there and he was telling me the story of the body found in the row of houses when they were doing up the old stand. He also showed me something to do with him and Duncan Edwards (Best man at wedding ??
Peter Holtom was one of the dealers there and i done my foot in going down the stairs

[Westwardprogs]

I have taken up the suggestion of contacting Altrincham FC regarding the possibility of staging a Fair in their new Community Sports Hall.
There is not sufficient time to organise the dealers and publicity necessary for a Fair at Christmas-time, so we are looking at possible Sundays early in 2015, if it is a practical proposition at this venue.
I will keep you posted on any developments, one way or the other.

[Posh1959]

Nice one , what concerns me is the apparent lack of communication on this from the Fair organizers.

[footballprogrammes.com]

May I put Leslie and Clive's concerns at rest by assuring them it was never my intention not to post a message on the suspension of the Christmas fairs this year. John and I had penned a piece for publication in Novembers PM with me simultaneously posting it on the forum on the day of the magazines publication. We didn't want a situation where those who read the forum knew but PM readers didn't or vice versa. I did however brief the stallholders that exhibit at both events beforehand. Why Barry felt the urge to immediately copy and paste this on the forum is a question only he can answer. He is not an organiser and it is not as if I don't post details of EVERY fair I organise on this forum.

I have read the posts on this thread and can assure everyone that all the options were very carefully considered. The decision not to change venues was made for a number of reasons. There is a precedent that virtually all major fairs that have done so in the past have seen a dramatic drop in attendance.

Continuity is an important ingredient for both fairs and this is borne out by how many enquiries both hotels field prior to the events asking for the date. Clearly that would be lost in a change of venue. We are in era where it very difficult to entice collectors to fairs and it is vital to use every available method of advertising and publicity. We expect to be back at both venues just after Christmas 2015.
_________________
David Allen
http://www.footballprogrammes.com
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/FOOTBALL-PROGRAMMES-WAREHOUSE

[Westwardprogs]

I can give an update on my contact with Altrincham FC regarding the possibility of staging a Fair in their new Community Sports Hall.
The facility is not now expected to open until January but the club is very keen to host a programme fair as part of their launch programme - once a date has been fixed, I will post details on this forum.

[Altychief]

Westwardprogs wrote:

I can give an update on my contact with Altrincham FC regarding the possibility of staging a Fair in their new Community Sports Hall. The facility is not now expected to open until January but the club is very keen to host a programme fair as part of their launch programme - once a date has been fixed, I will post details on this forum.

Nice work i knew they would try and accomodate you, A lot of Altrincham fans normally attend this fair me. Thank you