The annual Country Living Spring Fair is one of the magazine’s most successful brand extensions, with more than 400,000 people visiting the Spring Fair since its doors first opened back in 1991. The number of fairs has since grown to ten that take place throughout the year at a variety of venues, including a Christmas fair at the SECC in Glasgow and summer fairs at The Hampton Court Flower Show, Tatton Park Flower Show, Badminton and Burghley Horse trails and for the first time this year at the Malvern Show and the Great Yorkshire Show.
Supporting home-grown talent is central to Country Living’s brand values and over the last 20 years the title has helped launch more than 1,750 new small businesses in the UK and has seen 7,000 independent stands being built at the Spring Fair.
To celebrate 20 years of the Country Living Spring Fair the magazine is launching the first ever Kitchen Table Talent Awards by inviting people to step forward from every corner of the country, and prove that they can grow, sew or cook, write, draw or make. The overall winner will see their talent make the transition from pastime to full-time and this progression will be followed online and in the magazine.
The Country Living Spring Fair 2011 has assembled more than 350 independent retailers, designers, makers and small producers from across the UK all showcasing the best of British design and craftsmanship.
As well as all the Fair favourites, there’ll be 125 new faces with a section of the show dedicated exclusively to first-time exhibitors. Also on display will be 20 fantastic one-off products and experiences which can be bid for in an exclusive Celebrity Craft Auction on eBay. All money raised from the auction will go to Country Living’s charity of the year, The Princes Trust, a charity dedicated to working with big companies to support the rural economy.
The exclusive pieces being auctioned have been donated by some of Britain’s best celebrity creative talents, including Cath Kidson, Jan Constantine, Sophie Conran, Sarah Raven and fashion company Toast.
Country Living Editor Susy Smith says, “It’s an amazing achievement to be celebrating the 20th anniversary of Country Living Spring Fair. Reaching such a milestone proves how successfully the Country Living brand has grown. Along with our TV franchise ‘Farmer wants A Wife’ which now airs in 22 countries around the world, and our merchandise ranges it proves that Country Living is so more than simply a magazine. Each year the popularity of the Fair grows and we’re delighted to continue to help small British businesses become successful. This year we would especially like to congratulate and thank the continued support from three of our exhibitors: Terry Macey, Manijah and Sally Winter Originals have been with us every year since the very first fair and are still favourites with our visitors.”
