Rare collection is bait for antique hunters

Rare fishing rods, reels, flies and books will lure collectors and enthusiasts alike to the National Botanic Garden of Wales Antiques Fair and Vintage Market on Saturday and Sunday, October 5-6.

A Carmarthenshire collector will be displaying items assembled over a lifetime of angling. The high-quality items include rods, reels and other items by Hardy, Farlows, Sharpes of Aberdeen, Orvis and other makers.

Aside from the angling items – belonging to David Dale, of Llanddarog – there is plenty more for the visitor to tackle.

Also vying for the spotlight at the event will be Welsh pottery – ranging from Swansea, Glamorgan, Llanelli and the increasingly popular Ewenny; an exceptional display of 17^th and 18^th century oak furniture; Welsh textiles and tapestry blankets; oriental China and porcelain; vintage clothes; rare paperweights; costume jewellery; an impressive array of books and Welsh paintings.

Stallholders are taking over all the Garden’s venues and can be found in the Great Glasshouse, Principality House, the Marquee, Theatr Botanica and Millennium Square.

Militaria, historic maps, copper measures, garden tools and beautiful rare paperweights will also be on display.

Roger Jones Auctioneers, from Cardiff, will be at the Fair to give advice and information about their Auction House. They will also have some very special Welsh paintings on display.

There is ample free parking and well-behaved dogs are welcome. inside the grounds. The fair opens at 10am and closes at 4.30pm; admission is just £5 to include both the Botanic Garden and the fair.

For more information about the organisers Derwen Fairs, contact Brita Rogers on 01267 220260 and 07790 293367 or visit derwenantiques.co.uk