TVADA – The Thames Valley Antique Dealers Association
TVADA, The Thames Valley Antique Dealers Association, was an organisation active between 1989 – 2014. Sadly, the members of TVADA unanimously voted to close the association in October 2014 yet many continue to trade, some being members of LAPADA.
TVADA’s distinctive logo “tamesis” was inspired by a keystone on the bridge at Henley on Thames and has been used since the association was formed in 1989. TVADA’s aim was to unite the antiques dealers of the Thames Valley, to support and promote members and provide a more complete service for their customers. It was run by members who willingly volunteered their time to help encourage visitors into the Thames Valley’s vibrant towns & villages and its many antique shops and galleries.
Their membership, which represented some 150 dealers at its peak, was made up of a huge variety of talented individuals incorporating just about all disciplines from the 16th century right through to the 21st.
End of an Era – Letter from the Treasurer
I am sorry to inform you that the members of The Thames Valley Antique Dealers’ Association unanimously voted at their E.G.M. on 22 October to wind up the association in 2014.
We all know these are challenging times for anyone involved in this business. Many dealerships are changing and shrinking, auction houses have gone “live” and there is a squeeze on the luxury end of the retail market (to name but a few). This is significant for us within the Thames Valley area as in recent years many of the larger, founder members of TVADA are either no longer trading or are doing so in a different way and other regional associations have also disappeared in recent years.
The consequence of all these changes has been a shrinking of TVADA membership and so after much consultation with our members and discussions on the future of TVADA amongst the committee, it has been decided to cease running the association.
TVADA was formed in 1989 by its founder members including Willie Clegg (The Country Seat), Graham Wells (Summers Davis), Alisdair Brown, Edward Reily Collins (Hallidays) and Josie Smith . The association’s distinctive logo “tamesis” was inspired by a keystone on the bridge at Henley on Thames.
The association soon built a strong reputation for holding prestigious regular Antiques Fairs, initially at Eton College and St. Edward’s School in Oxford then Blue Coat School at Sonning and Radley College, also Antiques Trails and TVADA are the pioneers of the trade swap shops.
Over the years, TVADA has built up a strong bond with LAPADA and the committee would like to thank them for their help, support and encouragement. The committee would like to thank the current and former members as well as loyal clients and members of the trade who have assisted, or supported, TVADA over the years and helped to create many happy memories.
John Ebdon – Last Treasurer of TVADA
Former TVADA Members:
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