Chatham Militaria Fair - The end.

[Millsman]

Sadly 25 years of the Chatham Militaria Fair comes to an end. The final fair will be on December 14th.

The Chatham Historic Dockyard decided that the fair didn't fit in with their plans so decided it would end. This started last year when they said they didn't like re-enactors arriving in WW2 German uniform.

I think this is a case of modern curators not understanding collectors or re-enactors.

Maybe another case of Go Woke Go Broke.

James Aslett is currently looking for another covered site in Kent to replace Chatham

 

[millsbomber]

The same happened at Tilbury Fort Militaria fairs many years ago, held once a month, change of governor for English Heritage, did not like reenactors, stalls selling weapons and ammo, she really knew what was happening, most attendances through out the year was on fair days.
Salute to the 40s held there, is it also stopped ?
Another Nail in the Coffin

 

[reccetrooper]

I saw James’ post on Facebook yesterday. Another fair gone. Hopefully James will be able to locate a suitable new venue not too far away. Personally I’d like somewhere just north of the Dartford crossing, as it’s always a nightmare heading home on the M25 after the fair.

Thinking back 20-30 years, there were regular fairs scattered around within reach of the M25, Tilbury, Cheshunt, Watford, Farnham, etc. Even the long established Bedford fair has now gone. Some of it is due to misguided woke, but it’s also changes in shopping habits amongst collectors, with eBay, websites, and social media groups becoming every increasing market places, and that affects footfall and the financial viability for traders and fair organisers.