It was lovely to see those above who attended the show, some great photos above and thank you for the kind comments about my pieces. Below are some musings of my own.
I can't speak for the organisers of the Fen show but I do know they run an event that welcomes all genres of model making. There were tanks, aircraft, historical, sci-fi, Gundam and fantasy models on display in the competition classes. I agree with the comments from those above that attended the show that the majority of the displays were fantasy/sci-fi but that was because more fantasy/sci-fi painters brought their models to display than historical modellers did, not that historical painters weren't welcome.
The trade was certainly more biased to historical figure modelling with: RDG. SK Models, El Greco, Elan13 Miniatures (who also carried Oakwood bases) Hawk Miniatures, Name It and Sphere in attendance. There was also a brush seller and figure base seller and several smaller companies selling some excellent fantasy/sci-fi figures and busts.
The set up for the display area for the competitions was excellent, with purpose built units and lighting. There were also several free demonstrations in a dedicated room with video and big screen on Sunday. The competition with its Junior, Standard and Master classes, was the highest quality, for figures, I have seen in the UK for many years and was judged to an SMC standard, by judges who have judged at SMC and Euromilitaire.
The venue is next to the river with pubs and bars nearby and a short walk from historic Ely town centre.
On both days the atmosphere in the hall was friendly with discussions about all sorts of model making and painting going on. As a trader who goes to many model shows in a year, I saw more new faces to shows here that I do elsewhere and the average age of attendees was lower too, I believe the organisers should be complemented on getting new people to shows and for attracting people from Europe too.
Personally, I feel I can learn much from figure model makers of all genres, but I appreciate this is not for everyone. The Fen show will only have a higher percentage of historical models on display if historical model makers bring their work along and enter it: they would definitely be welcome.
On a final note when I trade at the excellent Figure World North Show in Easingwold, I don't think of it as a military figure show but as a show that welcomes all genres, even though there is a significant majority of military subjects in the competition.
