From a Small Village Hall to One of South-West France's Most Loved Charity Events

The Beginning (2001–2005)

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 and 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-Péreyrol, and it comprised:
- 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

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-Péreyrol. It had no electricity, no lighting, no running water and no toilet. What it did have was plenty of space and an owner generous enough to let Phoenix use it free of charge.

Moving to Saint-Georges-de-Montclard (2007)

As the original venue had become too small and too run-down, the fair moved to the village hall in Saint-Georges-de-Montclard. The 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 began with the move to the communal hall in Campsegret transforming the fair. The larger venue allowed more visitors, more categories, larger displays and a greater sales potential. There was a regular Bergerac SPA stand with dogs to be adopted. In fact, Phoenix regularly took dogs from the SPA to prepare them for rehoming. The famous outdoor area behind the hall became known as "The Green". Tents, stalls and displays spread into the gardens, creating a real festive atmosphere.

New Categories and New Ideas

Fiction had become the single best selling category. As the fair expanded new sections were added, such as plants, audio books and large print books, jewelry, Christmas cards, children's toys and puzzles, and an enlarged bric-à-brac section. Conversely, VHS tapes gradually disappeared and were replaced by increasingly popular CD and DVD sections.

Managing Hundreds of Visitors

The fair was now attracting enormous crowds. While exact visitor counts were never taken, 350–400 cars regularly attended each fair. Visitors travelled from Monaco, Marseille, Normandy and widely from across South-West France. Some visitors even made entire weekends of their trip.

To cope with demand, the team introduced dedicated parking attendants, disabled parking spaces, early access for disabled visitors and special donation drop-off zones. Close cooperation with the Gendarmerie became essential because of the nearby N21 main road.

The Great Barn Transformation (2009–2010)

When fair coordination changed hands, the sorting operation moved to a large tobacco barn in Lamonzie-Montastruc. This became the operational heart of the Phoenix Book Fair but had to be transformed by the installion of electricity and lighting; reinforcing wooden floors; building access stairs and strengthening the loading bridge; and covering open tobacco-drying walls.

The Golden Years (2010–2019)

The Phoenix Book Fair evolved from a simple fundraiser into a major regional event. The sorting team increased to about 25 volunteers. The fair weekend team had around 40 volunteers. In addition, there were three paid heavy-lifting assistants, two rented vans and multiple large tents. The fair occupied the venue at Campsegret for an entire week during installation and take down. By 2019, the Phoenix Book Fair had become a community event, a social gathering, a fundraising powerhouse and a destination attraction. Visitors returned year after year not only for bargains but for friendship, atmosphere and a true sense of community.

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". Every category leader followed the system meticulously. This system allowed precise stock control; the analysis of each category’s performance; more efficient transport planning; better use of storage space and maximum fundraising potential.

A comprehensive visitor survey revealed that 80% of people came primarily for books, DVDs and CDs. 20% came mainly for the social experience and catering. Surprisingly most visitors were not Phoenix members showing / evidence that 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. In October 2019, thanks to the generosity of the volunteer bakers, catering generated €3,492 income per fair with approximately €500 expenses. It was one of the highest-earning sections after fiction and DVDs. The French visitors became well known for buying entire cakes to take home. The most popular items proved to be the homemade cakes, scones and muffins; savoury pies and tarts; teas and coffees; and ice cream during summer fairs.

Enjoying the sun at Campsegret

Bric-a-Brac Becomes a Giant

Originally a single table. By 2019 it had become a major attraction generating nearly €1,500 per fair. Many donations came from people moving house or leaving France. Typical items being household goods, decorative items, kitchenware, electrical appliances and furniture.

Revenue Growth

Yearly gross revenues of the biannual fairs had risen from €28,000 in 2013 to €40,000 in 2019.

A New Chapter (2019–Present)

As original volunteers retired, moved away or faced health challenges, a new generation stepped forward.

The Phoenix Book Fair entered a new era while continuing its original mission of raising funds for animal welfare. The fair moved to Bergerac's Salle Anatole France in 2022 where everything could be contained under one roof, and a “click and collect” facility was added. Unfortunately this venue was demolished resulting in a move to Salle René Coicaud was used instead. This served as our fair venue from 2023 until 2025. Although the building was the largest venue then available it still had significant shortcomings.

Salle Anatole France

Fair in full swing at Salle Rene Coicaud

New sorting facilities 2020 to 2026

When the owners of the barn in Lamonzie Montastruc had to return to the UK, new storage premises had to be found quickly. After much searching during 2019, the sorting team finally moved to a depot in Bergerac, 43 Rue Rodolf Bruzac (formerly a garage for ambulances) in the spring of 2020. The barn was completely cleared out by June 2020 during the Covid pandemic.

Book Sorting At No 43

New Concept 2026 - Present

By the end of 2025 the amount of work, and the cost, of sorting and storing our stock and staging the fairs had increased drastically. The size and complexity of the operation precluded a return to a Campsegret-style event. Each fair required in excess of 70 volunteers working for four days before, and two days after, each fair day, plus the hiring of +/- 140 tables in addition to those already at the hall and the 2 vans needed to move 10 loads per day for 6 days. Luckily the fair was only hit by storms on one occasion, and they continued to meet fund raising targets and to be a great success for our enthusiastic followers; but the effort was considerable and working conditions at the sorting depot were less than ideal. Costs were also increasing and it seemed that profound changes were necessary to retain levels of income and ensure a safe working environment for our volunteers.

The answer was to move to a new location where the books could be sorted, stored and displayed on shelves, and the fairs held at the same place; a location where we could have more control over what we did and when.  This was the motivation for the move to our current location in Prigonrieux, The Phoenix Book Corner (PBC).

The PBC as we found it in late 2025

This was the start of an exciting new chapter yet much had to be done. The location was found late in 2025, but we did not gain access until the end of January 2026, a month later than hoped. We then had to convert the old garage to our needs. This involved our volunteers building internal walls, installing extra WCs, a kitchen and fire escapes, a mezzanine, sealing floors, building book shelves, clearing outside spaces and a multitude of similar tasks necessary to ensure we can gain the necessary status to be open to the public. It remains a work in progress. Despite the late start we had achieved enough to hold the 2026 Book Fair at the PBC - this proved the concept and managed to meet expected income, but problems were identified that had to be added to the list of jobs to be done when the Fair was over. However, the team has risen to the challenge magnificently and are enthused by the idea of making the PBC a vibrant hub for Phoenix’s activities.

Ready for the opening of our first fair at PBC, Apr 2026

Challenges Along The Way

Not everything went smoothly. These challenges became part of the legend of the Phoenix Book Fair, eg:
- Storms blowing away tents
- Torrential rain and mud creating parking chaos
- Power failures
- Catering shortages
- Difficult visitors
- Volunteers who enjoyed the wine a little too much

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 biannual Phoenix Book Fairs have 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.