Written by Hayley Shaw of Sew Very Vintage, Wallingford

FOR anyone local to Wallingford, it was surely hard to miss the wonder that was Bunkfest, a festival of music and dance held on the Kinecroft and at venues throughout the town during the first weekend in September.

Bunkfest is a great event for bringing families and friends together for a weekend of merriment, but I feel it is also important to mention the very positive impact such an event has on local businesses.

During Bunkfest, Sew Very Vintage was continually busy with our Saturday footfall more than doubling: many new customers found their way into our shop, with extremely positive comments, promising to return, 'now that we know where to find you'.

Many new customers were delighted to discover that we sell a great range of true vintage and vintage-inspired clothing from the 1920s to 1960s.

The timing of Bunkfest is well placed as it is the weekend before Goodwood Revival, a sell-out weekend of vintage motor racing where everyone dresses to impress in their very best vintage outfit.

Meanwhile, over at the Kinecroft, my business partners Madeleine and Devon worked alongside other local businesses such as our neighbours Busy Brush pottery café, to provide craft workshops and stalls at the Wallingford Craft Hub marquee. The workshops were extremely popular and also alerted many more new customers to the diverse selection of products Sew Very Vintage has to offer.

Bunkfest also helped to launch new business Polka Dots n Teapots, a pop-up vintage tea room run by local entrepreneurs Denise Rodgers and Emma Dolton.

Bunkfest was the first major event for their pop-up vintage tea tent, where a beautiful vintage haven was available for festival goers who wished to sit and relax with a traditional cream tea or homemade slice of cake. Gluten- and diary-free options were available, as well as milkshakes for the children (or young at heart).

Reflecting on the event Denise is extremely positive: "We would like to thank everyone who came to experience our new venture and for all the positive comments we received for our cakes, teas in lovely teapots with 'proper cups and saucers' and for the service we provided."

Denise and her team are now looking forward to other events in the future including the 1940's weekend at Cholsey-Wallingford Railway on October 7 and 8.

If you have any events you would like Polka Dots n Teapots to cater, email pokkadotsnteapots17@gmail.com