There is business to be done in Carmarthen

These locally-based organisers have returned to their original format of three weekend Antiques Fairs across the year giving plenty of scope for those looking for more serious antiques and art.

As far as the discerning buyers of West Wales are concerned, this is the place to buy that very special dresser or corner cupboard, to browse among the excellent selection of Welsh art, good silver and choice jewellery. The fairs are strong on ceramics too, with pottery and porcelain spanning three centuries, as well as an abundance of those specialist dealers who offer the quirky and off-beat items (toys, textiles, militaria and nautical items, vintage fashion accessories) which make visiting antiques fairs so fascinating and enjoyable.

Local organisers, Robert and Carol Pugh of Towy Antiques Fairs have clocked up over thirty years in the trade and try not to let the grass grow under their feet. Since the fairs’ inception in 1993 they have followed the changes in the antiques world and worked hard at keeping Carmarthen on the map. Regular exhibitors already know that the queue on Saturday morning is impressive and the buzz starts the moment the doors open to a large crowd of loyal, serious collectors and buyers who still regard the Carmarthen Antiques Fair as an event not to be missed.

However, the Pughs are also aware of the importance of attracting fresh blood from time to time, as well as for dealers to seek new customers. The West Country in particular is saturated with fairs – the same dealers with the same stock going to the same well too often – and so Towy are actively encouraging new exhibitors to look across the water for new selling opportunities.

Towy Antiques Fairs are confident that there is business to be done at the Carmarthen Antiques Fair and, with the Showground just one and a half hours from the Severn Bridge (with motorway and dual carriageway right to the door), they have come up with an innovative idea to encourage new exhibitors.

Any new dealer from across the Severn Bridge who books their first Carmarthen Antiques Fair this year will be refunded the bridge toll (£6 for cars and twice that for vans!) by the organisers. This applies to any one of the three dates this year.

The Carmarthen Fair offers the widest possible range of stock, but inevitably there are items with a particularly Welsh flavour. Rustic, slipware products of the Ewenny Pottery are collected by many outside Wales, as well as within, and a good example will be for sale at the fair. A rare Ewenny Pottery jug of about 1910 inscribed Cymru Cymro Cymraeg is bound to attract much interest, as much for its size (36cm) as for its partisan inscription!

The Camarthen Antiques Fair takes place on Saturday & Sunday 3rd & 4th March 2012 at the United Counties Showground, Carmarthen. All stands are indoors, parking is plentiful and free and admission to the fair is £3.50 for adults.