The Story of the Phoenix Book Fair
From a Small Village Hall to One of South-West France's Most Loved Charity Events
The Beginning (2001–2005)
The Birth of Phoenix
The Phoenix Association was founded by Sheelagh and Richard Johnson with a simple but powerful mission:
«To raise funds to help rescue and care for animals.»
Supported by a small group of dedicated volunteers, Phoenix quickly became an important force for animal welfare in the region.
The First Book Fairs (2002–2005)
The idea of a charity book fair came from:
- Christopher Rexworthy
- Christine Smart
- Christine Dumper
Originally called The One Euro Book Fair, the first events took place in the small and rather dilapidated church hall at Saint Mayme de Peyrérol.
What the Fair Looked Like
- Around 50–75 boxes of books
- 10 boxes of non-fiction
- A handful of science fiction books
- VHS tapes
- Dutch and German books
- French books
- Mills & Boon novels
- English fiction meticulously sorted alphabetically
Even in those early days, the attention to organisation was remarkable.
Revenue
The first fairs generated only a few hundred euros, but growth was already beginning.
Growth and Determination (2006–2007)
In early 2006, new volunteers joined the team.
At that time:
- The entire book team consisted of only 7 people.
- Books were transported using private cars, trailers and later an ageing van.
- Catering was provided by just two volunteers.
- Sorting took place in an abandoned farm barn near Saint Mayme de Peyrérol.
The Famous Barn
The sorting barn had:
- No electricity
- No lighting
- No running water
- No toilet
What it did have was plenty of space and an owner generous enough to let Phoenix use it free of charge.
Many categories were still sorted and stored in volunteers' homes.
Moving to Saint Georges de Montclard (2007)
The original venue had become:
- Too small
- Too run-down
The fair moved to the village hall in Saint Georges de Montclard.
Milestones
- Team grew to 10–12 volunteers
- Book stock increased steadily
- Revenues climbed into the low thousands of euros
- Hall tables were sufficient for all book displays
The Campsegret Years (2008–2019)
A New Era Begins
The move to the communal hall in Campsegret transformed the fair.
The larger venue allowed:
- More visitors
- More categories
- Larger displays
- Greater sales potential
The famous outdoor area behind the hall became known as:
"The Green"
Tents, stalls and displays spread into the gardens, creating a genuine festival atmosphere.
New Categories and New Ideas
As the fair expanded:
New Sections Added
- Crime Fiction
- Plants
- Audio Books
- Large Print Books
- Jewellery
- Christmas Cards
- Puzzles
- Children's Toys
- Expanded Bric-a-Brac
Modernisation
VHS tapes gradually disappeared and were replaced by a thriving:
- CD Section
- DVD Section
Crime Fiction quickly became the single largest-selling category.
Managing Hundreds of Visitors
By now the fair was attracting enormous crowds.
Visitor Numbers
While exact visitor counts were never taken:
- 350–400 cars regularly attended each fair
- Visitors travelled from:
- Monaco
- Marseille
- Normandy
- Across South-West France
Some visitors even made entire weekends of their trip.
Parking Innovations
To cope with demand, the team introduced:
- Dedicated parking attendants
- Disabled parking spaces
- Early access for disabled visitors
- Special donation drop-off zones
Close cooperation with the Gendarmerie became essential because of the nearby N21 road.
The Great Barn Transformation (2009–2010)
When fair coordination changed hands, the sorting operation moved to a large tobacco barn in Lamonzie-Montastruc.
Volunteers transformed the building by:
- Installing electricity
- Fitting fluorescent lighting
- Reinforcing wooden floors
- Building access stairs
- Strengthening the loading bridge
- Covering open tobacco-drying walls
This became the operational heart of the Phoenix Book Fair.
The Golden Years (2010–2019)
The Phoenix Book Fair evolved from a simple fundraiser into a major regional event.
Team Growth
Sorting Team
- Around 25 volunteers
Fair Weekend Team
- Around 40 volunteers
Additional Support
- Three paid heavy-lifting assistants
- Two rented vans
- Multiple large tents
The fair occupied the venue for an entire week each event.
The Phoenix Book Fair System
One of the fair's greatest strengths was its sophisticated sorting system.
Originally developed by Christopher Rexworthy and continuously refined over the years, it became known affectionately as:
"The Holy Bible"
The system allowed:
- Precise stock control
- Category performance analysis
- Efficient transport planning
- Better use of storage space
- Maximum fundraising potential
Every category leader followed the system meticulously.
Listening to Visitors
A comprehensive visitor survey revealed:
Why People Came
- 80% came primarily for books, DVDs and CDs
- 20% came mainly for the social experience and catering
Surprising Discovery
Most visitors:
- Were not Phoenix members
- Had no interest in becoming members
The fair had developed its own identity beyond the charity itself.
The Catering Success Story
What began as a small refreshment stand became one of the fair's greatest achievements.
By October 2019
Catering generated:
- €3,492 income
- Approximately €500 expenses
Making it one of the highest-earning sections after fiction and DVDs.
Popular Items
- Homemade cakes
- Scones
- Muffins
- Tea and coffee
- Ice creams during summer fairs
The French visitors became particularly famous for buying entire cakes to take home.
Bric-a-Brac Becomes a Giant
Originally a single table.
By 2019 it had become:
A Major Attraction
Generating nearly:
€1,500 per fair
Items included:
- Household goods
- Decorative items
- Kitchenware
- Electrical appliances
- Furniture pieces
Many donations came from people moving house or leaving France.
Revenue Growth
Annual Fair Revenues
Revenue has risen in 2013 at 13100€ to 16000€ in 2016
More Than Just a Book Fair
By 2019, the Phoenix Book Fair had become:
- A community event
- A social gathering
- A fundraising powerhouse
- A destination attraction
Visitors returned year after year not only for bargains but for friendship, atmosphere and a genuine sense of community.
A New Chapter (2019–Present)
As original volunteers retired, moved away or faced health challenges, a new generation stepped forward.
Leadership Transition
- Sarah Lehan began taking over coordination
- Peter McAuslan became Treasurer and Fair Coordinator
Key Changes
- Prices increased beyond the original €1 model
- Click & Collect was introduced
- The fair moved to Bergerac's Salle Anatole France
The Phoenix Book Fair entered a new era while continuing its original mission of raising funds for animal welfare.
Memories That Still Make People Smile
Highlights
- Christmas lunches for volunteers
- Free books and audiobooks for hospital patients
- Emergency foster homes for Phoenix animals
- The incredible team spirit among volunteers
- Finding homes for a stray cat and her three kittens
- Watching thousands of visitors enjoy their day out
Challenges Along the Way
Not everything went smoothly.
The team survived:
- Storms blowing away tents
- Torrential rain and mud
- Power failures
- Catering shortages
- Parking chaos
- The infamous roast pig disaster
- Temporary storage crises
- Difficult visitors
- Volunteers who enjoyed the wine a little too much
These challenges became part of the legend of the Phoenix Book Fair.
A Legacy Worth Celebrating
From a handful of volunteers and a few dozen boxes of books to one of the region's most successful charity events, the Phoenix Book Fair has raised hundreds of thousands of euros for animal welfare while creating friendships, memories and a remarkable community spirit.
Its story is not only about books.
It is about people, generosity, determination and a shared desire to make life better for animals in need.