The park and café filled up quite quickly, providing a steady stream of dealers and the general public alike. I met quite a few dealers, a couple who had come from Kent, as well as a family from Florida who had seen the Brocante banner on their way into Bath. There was plenty of interest from the eight stalls selling an eclectic mix of vintage and antiques, stunning vintage and antique textiles, household items and vintage clothes, as well as the delicious and very apt French sweets made by the wonderful Claire from Empire Edibles.
Lesley Hall from Bath Boules very kindly came and gave instruction in playing boules to anyone who wished for it, which my daughter, neighbour and I greatly enjoyed. Lesley might even come and take space next year, following her trips to France.
Claire Peacey from Empire Edibles provided her fabulous sweet treats with a hint of adventure; I particularly enjoyed the absinthe fondants and pims and cucumber fudge. She had also very considerately bought a glass urn full of rose and cucumber flavoured water, which was extremely refreshing in the heat.
Alice Roberton from BBC Homes & Antiques, who had her stall selling subscriptions amongst other vintage items, was fascinated by these metal folding beach chairs that a lady (who was going to breathe some new life and canvas into them!) bought from me.
Sue from Buttercups and Daisies had a esoteric mixture of fabulous vintage clothes and exotic household objects. I love my beautiful art deco swan jug I bought from her. The lady who most of the items came from must have had a fascinating and creative life, each items with stories behind them.
Sally Lodge came with her stunning lamps, vintage prints and other stylish interior objects, as well as her father's incredible cards of brightly coloured crustaceans.
Just as the day was about to end a suffragette appeared on her bicycle and wondered through the Brocante with her friend dressed in early 1900s attire (wonderful vintage bicycle and hat!). They had come to give a sample of their play "Oxygen" about and celebrating the 1913 pilgrimage from Lands End to Hyde Park gathering 46,000 signatures for a petitionto end child poverty, white slave traffic and sweated labour. Incredible given there was no internet then!
An inspiring and empowering way to end the day and the Brocantes for this year. My thanks to Tony, Russ, all at the café, and to my family and friends for their support.
