Midlands Entomological Fayre returns to Dukeries Leisure Centre, Ollerton

An event dedicated to collectors and lovers of insects, butterflies and moths returns to Ollerton on Sunday.

The Midlands Entomological Fayre is taking place at the Dukeries Leisure Centre on Sunday (April 2) from 11am to 4.30pm.

More than 50 traders will be in attendance with a variety of displays, including pinned insects, butterflies and moths and live tarantulas, scorpions and beetles.

There will be stalls for housing, taxidermy, and gifts.

The fairs were started in 2004 by Mr Paul Holt of Hawtonville, Newark.

He said: “I used to go to various fairs across the county and 20 years ago was when I thought I could do one of these! Since then it has grown and grown and grown and it's quite a hold with all the exhibitors and popularity.”

Mr Holt's interest in insects started when he was seven years old and was introduced to entomology by his uncle, Mr James Wright.

He said: “My favourite thing about the event is I actually get to see some people that have been coming as customers and then they end up being collectors and then exhibitors and traders.

“It is just nice to see, it is such a nice community in which people share the same interests and new information with each other. It is a day people get together and enjoy themselves.”

Recently, Mr Holt's 26-year-old son has shown interest in entomology and will be displaying an insect home on Sunday.

At the event there will be food and drink stalls. Entry prices are £5 per adult, £3 for children with free entry for under-fives.

“The satisfaction I get from the shows is what makes me keep coming back year after year.

“I started this and you never know where things are going to go but it works, people talk about it and it is shared on social media.

“It is such an achievement because if something flops at least you tried, but this has always been going.”

The next event will be held on Sunday, December 3.