Sun, sea, swearing and the Home Secretary at Hastings Art Car Boot Fair

The Art Car Boot Fair made its Hastings debut in grand style on Saturday. Not only was it blessed with one of the sunniest days of our hitherto soggy summer, but it was also anointed by an unexpected visit from Amber Rudd, the local MP for Hastings and Rye and, as from last week, the Home Secretary in Prime Minster Theresa May’s new-look Conservative government.Having made a snappy—and shrewd—purchase of Sir Peter Blake’s Kurt Schwitter-esque special edition Art Car Boot Fair print, the Home Secretary then spent some time examining the ceramic sandcastles on Marcus Harvey’s stand, engaging the artist in friendly conversation but passing on a purchase. (Coincidentally, Harvey's current show of paintings and sculpture at the neighbouring Jerwood Gallery presents Tory heroes Mrs Thatcher and Winston Churchill in a none too flattering light.) However, The Honourable Member’s eye was caught by a witty fake taxidermied stuffed leopardskin paw brooch on the stand of Bumble and Earwig which, perhaps in homage to her new boss’s famous penchant for animal print footwear, she acquired to adorn her ministerial lapel.Everyone was rather impressed that Ms Rudd spent a good hour patrolling the parked rows of art-laden vehicles, but there were also sighs of relief all round that she didn't stay for Martin Creed’s decidedly anti-Brexit performance, featuring the inimitable numbers ‘No Borders’ and ‘Fuck Off!’