News from this years event
Numbers were surprisingly high this year considering the “crise economique”, the cold and wet Saturday and the Fair being held on the same weekend as the Telethon.
Visitors
4,213 visitors came and enjoyed this year’s event – everyone polled thought the event “good” or “very good” - no-one surveyed made any adverse comments.
Around 2/3rds of the visitors were French with the British making up most of the rest.
Exhibitors
Against the background of falling consumer confidence in High Streets throughout Europe it was not surprising that exhibitors at the Fair suffered. However nearly two thirds of the stands reported good sales and 29% said they were OK – if not good.
However – showing confidence in the Fair - nearly a half said they were sure they would exhibit at the 2012 event with 38% undecided.
The vast majority of exhibitors were happy with the number of visitors the Fair attracted (88%)
Timing of the Fair
This years event was moved to the first weekend of December to match the salary profile of the French. However good the concept was there is no doubt that coinciding with the Telethon had an adverse effect – so we will move back to the Cracker Fair traditional timing in 2012.
Venue
Chateau Cassan is to be developed in the future but having spoken to the owner we are assured the event can be held at this wonderful building in 2012
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Next Year
Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th November
It has been lovely to receive so many delightful and kind messages from both Visitors and Exhibitors – see below
One from AGLR
CASSAN CHRISTMAS FAIR
Roujan 3 and 4 December
It was one-stop shopping for more than 4,000 visitors at the annual Cassan Cracker Fair, where the many booths offered a dazzling array of gift ideas, including wine, traditional Christmas fare, clothing, crafts and of course Christmas crackers.
The beautiful eleventh century chapel provided the perfect setting and, despite having no goods to sell, the AGLR booth was teeming with visitors thoughout the weekend. We are extremely grateful to Veronica, Heather, Liberty, Breda and Hans for helping out and welcoming passers-by.
Many thanks also to Robin Hicks, in charge of WoW l’Herault who worked tirelessly to organise the event, which was originally launched to enable Brits to buy crackers in France. Robin is a great friend of the AGLR and made sure we had a well-positioned booth. Check out his website to find out what’s happening in our region.
Patricia
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Merci Robin pour ce mot et bravo pour votre succès très mérité compte tenu de vos efforts
Domique Lebel – Owner of the Château Cassan
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The market is very well, business is not as good as other years but the economic crisis affects everyone.
Everything was perfect and the whole team is very friendly!
See you next year.
Excellent Christmas and New Year to you all.
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Hi Robin,
The show was great as always, good armosphere and beneficial to us if not for the sales on the day but for general promotion of the Domaine.
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We have enjoyed to have participated with the christmas cracker fair with our stand in the chapel.
Of course we would like to participate with the one to be held on Nov.24 and 25 in 2012.
If possible a stand on a corner inside the chapel.
Thank you for the excellent organisation and wishing you a merry christmas and the best for 2012.
Kind regards,
Ruth de Boer
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I had a very nice weekend and I was happy with the many contacts. I sold two paintings and hopefully a lot of comissions.
I don’t know if I will participate next year. It all depends where I’m exhibiting and how many paintings I have.
Next week I will update my website and add you to my links.
kind regards,
Els
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Just a quick note to say "well done & thanks to you and all your team".
A'bientot
Rod
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Hi Robin,
Thank you very much for a really splendid weekend at Chateau de Cassan. It was very professional and we are so happy that you could find a spot for us. We will definitely be back next year again and please let us know if you arrange other events and projects like this.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
Best regards Erik and Annika Emanuelsson
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Well done Robin, great event as usual.
Best regards
Karl
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Robin Good evening,
Thank you for your message, even if we have not worked as much as last year, is always a pleasure to meet you and your team on this wonderful Christmas market. I hope you will consider my proposal to hold the market on Saturday from 14h to 22h, with good publicity, this could lead the world.
Hope to see you next year soon.
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Merci Robin et l'équipe pour cet agréable week end.
Thank you Robin and team for this sweetly crakers fair.
See you next year.
Take care.
Best regards.
Florence/ Flaobrience
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Well done - it gets bigger and better every year.
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MERCI DE VOTRE MAIL, J'AI ETE CONTENTE DE CETTE MANIFESTATION, TRES TRES SYMPATHIQUE, LES VENTES MOYENNES MAIS AMBIANCE BONNE.
MERRY CHRISTMANS. BOSI PATRICIA
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We just want to say "WELL DONE!" and "THANK YOU" to you and your team.
The Christmas Cracker Fair was very enjoyable. Your organisational skills and hard work are quite exceptional.
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We enjoyed exhibiting and look forward to doing so next year.
With best wishes and a large pat on the back.
Rachel and Chris Thornton SOME LIKE IT HOT! Verre Soufflé.
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I'm glad you're proposing not to coincide with the telethon next year. Apart from the moral issue of whether Cassan should divert money that would otherwise go to charity I would prefer to attend the Telethon events which I couldn't do this year. Apart from Saturday being much slower than last year,my takings finished about 10 % up overall.
I'll look forward to next year!
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J'ai été une fois de plus ravie d'exposer au château Cassan
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It was a pleasure for us
And we actually made more than last year! http://www.beadforlife.org/xmas2011/cardplayer.html
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I thank you for this Christmas market that I really liked. I did not sell as much as I expected but I liked the ambiance of this place!
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I hope next year I can also participate and I hope that the economy will be better! Despite these times of crisis we worked as much as last year.
So you can imagine we are very happy.
We are ready for the next market !......
See you soon. and thank you .....
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Congrats on a great event.
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Just to say well done for all the hard work at Cassan this weekend. I know it's a huge job to undertake. We were happy with our takings, people were happy with our food (hopefully!) so all was well in our world anyway.
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Congratulations
Perhaps what you have created at Cassan is not so much a christmas market as a fair in the old sense - a meeting of diverse people in a special place, oiling the cogs and wheels of community life.
There is no doubt that the star of the fair is the castle itself, and it is great to see the castle not just as a relic of things past but also as part of the life of the present day community.
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Un petit message pour vous. Remercier d un apres. Midi enchanteresque cette aprezs midi lors du crakers festival. Artisans de qualite, restauration excellente, ambiance cozy tres british... Pour sur nous reviendrons.....
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We thought the Fair went well, was very well organised and the weather kind. Thanks Robin. I enjoyed it
. Tell Robin that even he cannot dodge the state of the world economy!! It affects everything.
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I hope that the Fair has been for you and your team a big success, and as far as I am concerned, this event must worth certainly going on. I have particularly appreciated the well done organization and the quality of most of the exhibitors. Congratulations !
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Merci pour votre accueil et votre organisation à Cassan
Nous avons passé un excellent week end
Nous vous souhaitons de bonnes fêtes de fin d'année
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Many thanks............. Yes, the fair was good for us. A bit quieter than usual but 5 lots of people took info and registered there interest to join us.
I bet you're exhausted! Well done........
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Bonjour Robin et bravo (encore) pour l'organisation du marché de Cassan.
See you bientôt
Alain
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SALUT MONSIEUR ROBIN
VOTRE FOIRE ELLE ETAIS MANIFIQUE
I HOPE WE WORK TOGETHER IN FUTUR .
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THE GRAND CHRISTMAS CRACKER RAFFLE
In aid of Cancer Support France-Languedoc 
and WoW
- · 2 entry tickets – Health Spa in Andorra – Mr and Mrs Terwindt
- · A night for 2 B & B at les Jardins de Saint Benoit Mrs Leonard
- · Lunch for 2 at Le Petit Peche – Roujan Mrs Gabrielle Rose
- · Lunch for 2 at Chateau Les Carrasses – Near Capestang Ken and Alison
- · Case of wine from Languedoc Select Wine Mrs Cheryl Taylor
- · Case of wine from Le Vin Sportif (Pic St Loup) Martha
- · 2 tickets for Sunday morning concert with Trio Borsolino on 8 January Mr and Mrs Powell
- · 2 tickets for Sunday morning concert with Thomas de Rafael : Alto (Viola) - Aline Sibony : Piano on 5 February Mrs Hilary Stone
- · 2 tickets for Sunday morning concert with Roger Munns, Jazz and Classic,
- · 2 tickets for Sunday morning concert with Maren Carlsen ,Piano, Debussy on 8 April Mrs Pearl Casteleyn
- · 2 tickets for CSF-Languedoc Christmas concert with Swing Easy at La Maison Verte on 17 December Mrs Fiona Rann
- · A voucher for Vie cosmetics Mrs Leonard
- · A print of Beziers flower market by Derek Coke Mrs Linda Irving
- · A gift token to discover your creative artist side with Anna Pellerin at L'Atelier in Castelnau de Guers Mrs and Mrs Jenkins
- · A bottle of dry Martini Ken and Alison
- · 2 bottle of St Chinian wine Miss Povey
- · Two giant knitted dolls Mrs Cooper and Mr or Mrs Richard
- · A throw knitted by CSF-Languedoc members Mrs Borrel
- · A blown glass perfume bottle Mrs Susan Haynes
- · Two DVDs Mrs Pearl Casteleyn and Mrs Walsh
- · Fitzpatrick's Irish Pub, Montpellier - 4 free pints (or equivalent) Mrs Pearl Casteleyn
- · A set of two Arco coffee cups, Mrs MacFarlane
- · A gift box writing set Mr John Kane
- · An assortment of fragrant pot-pourri Mr or Mrs Fox
- · Roget Gallet soap Ms Adrienne Kester
- · Box of Christmas crackers Mrs Wallez
Plus free concerts in the Music Room
Saturday
11.00 Maren Carlsen Piano
12.30 Teena Lyle Xylophone
14.00 Maren Carlsen Piano
15.30 Teena Lyle Xylophone
Sunday
11.00 Roger Munns Jazz and Classic requests
12.30 Trio Borsolino Fun classics and World Music
14.00 Roger Munns Jazz and Classic requests
15.30 Conrad Wilkinson Classical Piano
Loto at Christmas Cracker Fair
Be sure to buy your tickets at the “Control” desk at the Fair
Loto at Christmas Cracker Fair
Be sure to buy your tickets at the “Control"
A great range of prizes this year:-
· Case of wine – Languedoc Select Wine
· 2 free entry tickets – Health Spa in Andorra
· 2 tickets Trio Borsolino – 8 Jan – Sunday Morning Concert
· 2 tickets Sunday 5th Feb -Thomas de Rafael : Alto (Viola) - Aline Sibony : Piano Morning Concert
· 2 tickets - Roger Munns – 4th March - Jazz and Classic Morning Concert
· 2 tickets - Sunday 8th April Maren Carlsen – Piano – Debussy Morning Concert
·
· A night for 2 B & B at les Jardins de Saint Benoit
· Lunch for 2 at Le Petit Pech - Roujan
·
· Lunch for 2 at Chateau Les Carrasses – Near Capestang
a case of wine,
two giant knitted dolls,
a knitted blanket (by CSF members)
a blown glass perfume bottle,
two DVDs, some chocolates,
a set of two coffee cups,
a painting of Beziers flower market,
a voucher for cosmetics
Fitzpatrick's Irish Pub, Montpellier, - 4 free pints (or equivalent)
A gift token to discover your creative artist side with Anna Pellerin at L'Artelier in Castelnau de Guers
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Proceeds from the Lotto will be split between 2 associations;-
CSF France – Cancer Support France
WoW – the What’s On Website for Anglophones in l’Herault
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NOVEMBER NEWS LETTER
The Fair publicity has started with a full page advert on the back cover of this month's Blablablah magazine
This year promises to be the largest yet with more exhibitors than ever before.
The chapel has been "sold out" for 4 months - there will be fewer stands this year to comply with safety rules - which will make more room for exhibitors
The grand corridor - "sold out"
The library has been opened for exhibitors - "sold out"
Sunday only - there will be stands in the dining room - "sold out"
Courtyard - 40 stands this year - a record number. We hope the recent rain means there is none left for December!
Parking - this year we have a professional team from Montpellier to deal with the cars - important as we expect 5,000 visitors
Build up - Friday 2nd December - 10.00 - 12.00 and 14.30 - 18.00. Courtyard exhibitors should note - build up will be difficult - so please arrive early
During the open period exhibitors will NOT be allowed to bring in vehicles - On Saturday and Sunday the gates will be open from 08.00 - 09.00 to allow you to replenish your stocks
Publicity - the Anglophone campaign has already started and posters go up this week. French publicity in Gazette de Montpellier, Midi Libre and on radio will start in the last week of November.
We are grateful for the continuing support of Beziers Cap D’Agde airport
We have an economic crisis but we know everyone likes to have good Christmas Gifts for their family and friends and the organising team look forward to working with you to make this the best Fair ever.
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If you would like to exhibit next year - please contact
email – hicks-france@wanadoo.fr with your email and postal address
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Some pictures from our exhibitors at the show this year
If you are an exhibitor and would like a picture here - please send a jpeg to
hicks-france@wanadoo.fr
Thanks
Parallèlement à la guitare qu'il enseigne, Jean-Luc Béa peint et propose des expositions-concerts
dans toute la région. Tout en défiant l'horizontalité et la verticalité, il donne aux couleurs des teintes qui pourraient ressembler à celles des naïfs et joue sur la référence avec le fauvisme.
Jean-Luc Béa
9, place de la Marine
34300 Agde
04 67 21 37 33
jean-luc.bea@orange.fr
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To refresh your memory – below is the Press release issued after last years event.
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Press Release
4,249 visitors braved the unseasonal cold and wet weather to make the Cassan Cracker Fair the biggest yet.
The chapel layout, with fewer stands and more room to move, was widely welcomed and the quality of the musicians were universally praised.
Many noted the lovely atmosphere of the event and the professionalism of the parking was also remarked upon.
“It was a great event” said organiser Robin Hicks “but we could not have done it at all without the many individual helpers and the splendid folk from CSF.” “Saturday was calm and very good for business and those brave souls who came out in great numbers on Sunday had a good time – though they tended to buy less”
“The event would not have been the same without the musicians who delighted audiences in the Music Room and who gave their time for nothing to support WoW and the event.”
Visitor research shows that
2,600 had a very good day out
1,610 had a good day out – no-one, in the sample reported they had a bad time
2,600 of the visitors were French and 1,150 were Anglophones
Distance travelled
1,010 had travelled under 10Kms
1,300 travelled from 11 – 20 Kms
1,600 from 21 – 50 kms and 200 came from over 50 km’s away.
Other comments
Great atmosphere
Great organisation
Beautiful market
The best in the region
Great venue
Exhibitor research - 50% sample
Asked – Did you have a good show? 78% said yes 18% OK
How was business ? 27% good event 58% said satisfactory
Will you come back next year? 70% said Yes 33% said maybe
Even some of the exhibitors who did not have a commercially good event said they wanted to come back next year.
There were many plaudits for the smooth organisation of the event and the quality communication with both exhibitors and visitors
The Raffle raised an amazing €772
Half of which goes to CSF for their excellent work and the other half to help develop WoW – which is now a 1901 – non profit making organisation.
Photos of the 2010 event - courtesy of Kevin Brennan
