Just come across this website - Living Heritage organise craft shows and country shows across most of England.

Thanks EJ, excellent wombling as ever 

I don't know what their rates are like - Keilly might have more info.

They list corn Dolly demonstrations - but I couldn't find a corn dolly maker on the list of craftspeople - and only very few soap makers.

Great website, and they seem to promote excellent shows, sadly not in my area, apparently, waahhh 

Not any in my area, but looking at the venues I bet they are pricey.
Thanks for always finding these things for us.
Kim

I've sent off for an info pack, will report back.

Hi there
I did a Living Heritage show at the weekend in Sandringham. They are one of the most expensive shows to do - it cost me £350 for a standard stall but they do get people through the gates - but this weekend people did not seem to be spending - it might be either the crunch or the holiday period - and also there were 5 of us selling soaps/creams/bath thingys!! I did ok but some people did not even take their table money back which is a bit gutting as they probably would have had to pay for digs and petrol aswell!! There are cheaper shows around but I quite like the atmosphere and organisation of Living Heritage and have booked in for another 5 shows through the year with them, I have put a couple of photos of my stall from this weekend on my website - www.madaboutnature.co.uk if you want to get an idea of the size and quantity of stock you need!
Hope this helps!!

Need a big car for all of that Keilly 

Thanks Keilly.

Takes a lot of stock to cover that amount of stall fee and make a worthwhile profit on top, I'm assuming that was the fee for the 3 days.

Yeah, it was a 3 day show - and I only have a small fiesta - it's like a tardis sometimes with the bumper nearly dragging on the road!!hahaha!!

  I have done LH shows over the years, latterly they have been poor - alas - most large event organisers will report the same - many have gone to the wall over the last couple of years:(
!
As a result many now turn a blind eye to "bought in" products - they need to sell the space

It depends what you want - coverage or to make money.

Coverage - may be good.

To make money - look at cost of stall - then fuel - at least 30p per mile - overnight stay  £50- pay yourself £5 per hour etc

HTH

Soph

Very sound advice! Thank you for all that info.
I am a scaredy cat, lol, I'd be way too nervous to do a big show like that at the mo.

I wonder if they charge less if you're demonstrating a craft, some shows do. (not that you can demonstrate soapmaking - unless a powerpoint/similar demo counts)

Looks good!
I've only got a small fiesta too (aka Betsy Purple Sparkle Car) - she does very well for packing stock into! Just doesn't work when I need to take tables etc too, but fine for fairs where they are provided.

They are expensive though.