Moseley Record Fair is a monthly event where like-minded vinyl enthusiasts gather for a natter and a rummage for those long sort after LPs.

Since opening it's doors in October 2010, St Columba Church Hall, [Chantry Road, Moseley], gets taken over by the unmistakeable smell of vinyl every first Sunday of the month, breathing vibrancy and individuality through each stall holders excessive collections.

Set up by Jerome Leavey and Dave Grundi, the fair is on between 1pm and 5pm, and held its 12^th fair on November 6^th.

Moseley is definitely the music hub of the city, as this month's new stall holder Amy Martin, aged 30, explains: “I used to work at Jibbering Records, which was actually over the road, where the Moseley Fireplaces is. So people in Moseley are really into buying their records.

 “Jerome has been selling records on the corner here for years; And obviously there's Polar Bear records around the corner [in Kings Heath]. “People appreciate them, so it's a good place to sell it”, she says.

“My boyfriend and I, we have a huge record collection together and we needed a bit of a clear out. I'd heard from lots of people that this is really good, and you get proper dealers who come here, and people who are serious about their music.

 “People appreciate things that are well made, things that can stand the test of time, and things that are tangible. 

 "It's about the sound quality, the clunk of the needle when it hits into the groove. And with Soul music [particularly], it's partly to do with the hunt. So you appreciate the DJ who's gone that extra mile to find the records, whereas if they on MP3's, that's really easy for anyone to find!”, says Amy.

“As far as I'm concerned, vinyl is the only way to listen to music”, says stall-holder Eddie Pocock, 51.

“You've got the cover to look at and read. You can mesmerise yourself with watching the label spin around. You can't beat vinyl, it's a different level of sound and depth that you can't get with a CD”.

The age range of people at the fair also seems to be very diverse, as Amy continues: “I was just selling some Hip-Hop records to this group of kids who looked about fourteen, and then there's been some old folks in their pension years, so it's definitely spanning”.

“We get students in looking to educate themselves musically” adds Eddie.

 “And we get people in who have big collections at home, who are looking for little bits to fill in the gaps”.

Co-founder of Moseley Record Fair Dave Grindi explains: “It's been really encouraging.

“We get anybody from about twelve to seventy years old, so right across the board.

“There's still quite a demand for vinyl, especially collectables, because it's a very durable in its purist form”, he says.

“For example, some of the 60s pressings, like Decca, are the best in the world, so they are sort after.

"If you look after your records, they will stay with you as friends for life”.

It seems that Dave lives and breathes records, with a vast collection of his own that has definitely grown over the years.

“I'm kind of whittling my collection down to quality rather than quantity. But I still own maybe 3000 albums, maybe 1000 singles. I've been collecting since I was about eleven years old”, he says.

"So that's since the late 1970's!”.

Personally, I think that a record fair in Moseley has been long over due, so it's a real treat to have such knowledgeable stall holders in one place, and reflecting the cultural creativity that Moseley basks in.

And it seems that Dave agrees with me: “Moseley, in terms of music seems like the spiritual home in Birmingham. This area is the area to be if you are into music or the arts”, concludes Dave.

Make sure you check out next month's record fair on the 4^th of December.

Not into records? The fair also boasts a huge collection of CDs, DVDs and books, plus there's often badges, magazines and other little trinkets. So there's something to cater for everyone!