I have always been interested in French antiques as well as quirky and colourful finds in antique and bric a brac shops and car boots in this country.
The idea for this Brocante came about last December after I had gone to build snowmen with my two girls in Alice Park.
As we sipped our hot chocolates in Tony Hickman’s fabulous café there and looked out across the snow, I felt inspired by the space and imagined a Brocante style market in the summer with bunting, exciting antique wares spilling out and the smell of coffee and croissants.
My idea was immediately met with huge enthusiasm by Tony and I feel eternally grateful for the help and support that he has given since.
The harmonious meeting of antiques, good food and drink as well as an informal atmosphere is inspired by the Brocantes and Vide Greniers (open attics) of the south of France.
I have met some fantastic and inspiring dealers since frequenting antique and textile fairs and wanted to provide a market where other dealers could take space and which would be a supportive environment for us all.
Since looking for a house in Larkhall I have been inspired by it as a community, and often visit it’s shops, theatre and café, and recently its festival. Alice Park seems to be a lively hub of it, and seems to be somewhere well suited to a bringing together of its community and the wider areas of Bath and Wiltshire.
The Brocante on the 11th June will be an exciting mix of decorative and retro antiques, vintage and antique textiles and clothes as well as beautiful dried herb garlands. I hope that many people will come and drink in this atmosphere and find some exciting and different finds for their homes.
