Packed antiques fair offers gems of hope and charity

Hundreds of Tauranga people walked through the doors of the Antiques and Collectibles Fair over the weekend to check out the gems for sale.

The annual fair, in its 34th year, was organised by the Rotary Club of Otumoetai. All proceeds were donated to Homes of Hope.

Jack Barlow, 98, was helping out at the fair on Saturday and said he had been a Rotary member for 60 years.

"I'm just one of the boys now," he said.

He enjoyed being involved in projects that gave back to the community. The antiques fair was one of many Rotary events throughout the year.

"They are all doing good. You're helping out the community," he said.

The hall in Bethlehem town centre was packed with traders that had come from around New Zealand with their collections.

There was everything from silver to jewellery, books, fabrics and wooden furniture.

Tauranga-based trader Greg Cambie said he had been selling his collections at the Rotary fair for about 30 years.

The fair moved from its Baycourt beginnings to the Bethlehem town centre two years ago and Mr Cambie thought the move had helped boost the fair's success.

"There's good parking here and a big hall," he said.

Taupiri-based dealer Marie Turtle had a huge range of antiques that she said had made their way to her collection from different places.

"Oh yes, they all have their own story," she said.