Sunbury Antiques
Dealers arrive at Kempton Park in the small hours of the morning, many driving through the night from northern England or Europe, but there’s strictly no trading before the fair starts. Doors open at 6:30am at which point all visitors, trade or not, can get cracking. This evenhanded approach gives the fair an air of genial competition. And Sunbury’s free entry policy adds to spirit of goodwill.
Sunbury Antiques
Sunbury Antiques was launched in 1979. Many dealers attend most fairs and some have been with it since the beginning. The founder Sue Cruttenden passed the fair on to her son Edward who is a familiar face on Tuesday as he walks through the fair shouting greetings to dealers and welcoming visitors. He is shown here with Peter Last of Antiques & Modern Picture Frames, a regular face at the fair.
Sunbury Antiques
Regular exhibitor Peter Dennison of Moth Interiors poses in his van with his stock.
Sunbury Antiques
Visitors can pick up their copies of ATG from Steven - who often sees the content of his cart empty completely over the course of a day.
Sunbury Antiques
Concern gripped fans of the fair last year when the Jockey Club proposed the sale of Kempton Park for housing. Director Edward Cruttendon hit back emphasising that plans were far from being confirmed and that, in a worst case scenario, Sunbury is not officially linked to Kempton. Though some remain concerned, the outcry from both the antiques and racing community has been forceful and widespread.
Sunbury Antiques
JM Antiques have exhibited at the fair since the beginning and feature a mix of items at the their stand outside the head office.
Sunbury Antiques
So wide and varied is the selection at the fair that it has become a popular haunt for production companies. Yesterday, representatives from Shepperton Studios came along looking for props to use in their upcoming remake of Mary Poppins. While they were cagey about what exactly it was they took with them, they did admit to making a few purchases.
Sunbury Antiques
Meanwhile, this 1960s dovecote was snapped up for a four figure sum to appear in a future Harry Potter film.
Sunbury Antiques
Visitors explore a selection of rugs near the entrance to the fair.
Sunbury Antiques
Ronnie Davies, founder of Retro Ronnie Fairs, took a stand yesterday, featuring piece that don’t fit categories at his event. “We all had toys. We all have a connection to pieces like this,” he said, calling the toy trade an expanding market.
Sunbury Antiques
It was Normandy Countryside Antiques’ first appearance at Kempton after an overnight drive from France. Among other objects they brought this mid century drinks cabinet, which they displayed in their van while their 19th century furniture was laid down outside.
Sunbury Antiques
There is no official closing hour, though many dealers start packing up at around 1pm after six and half hours of trading. Many dealers sell out completely. The next fair takes place on February 28.
