Telford, 7th and 8th November, 2015

[valiant]

Hi guys - just asking if anyone is planning to be there? If so, please drop by to Stoke on Trent MC (IPMS) as its our first ever year with a table as an IPMS network member.

I look forward to seeing some old and new faces there!

Steve

 

[red tom]

I'll see you there Steve, I'll be on the Bolton stand and Peedee will be on the Bulldogs stand.

 

[valiant]

Cheers, Tom, see you both there!

 

[Helm]

I won't be there, due to the IPMS making it a shambles for none members last time I went I'm afraid
Steve

 

[Babelfish]

I won't be there, due to the IPMS making it a shambles for none members last time I went I'm afraid
Steve

Yes I get the impression that they really only want members to go. I went one year as a non-member and spent ages queuing to get in. Also you can't get into the swap meet, can't enter the comp etc. etc. So a couple of years back I became a member specifically to go (cost of membership pretty much covers the admission fee). Worth it for a far smoother experience. My membership lapsed though and when I went to re-join this year with a view to attending next month, I found that they had disabled the relevant pages of their web site until after the show! So it appears that they have got wise to that caper.

Am in two minds whether to bother going this year now. It's 50/50 at the moment and I'll probably decide the day before. Great show but not sure I can be @rsed with all the queuing involved (for the car park as well standing around waiting to get in).

- Steve

 

[DEL]

Don't join

 

[valiant]

Ive always parked in the public multistoreys and never had to queue for parking. I agree that the queue to get in is formidable - maybe there should be two entrances to split the bottleneck?!

As regards the website, it was active as of last week, so maybe its just for the couple of weeks leading up to the show...!!

 

[peedee]

Anyone coming on Sunday morning in the first hour who's not an IPMS member will be paying me on the door.
Bring on the hordes.

Guys to be fair it's a show run by the IPMS as a national members evebt and has grown in popularity each year to the point that the the members man the pay desks (6) help desk, kitswap and competition rooms.
All volunteers to a man, just like a regional area sunday show.

Thankfully, no-one says it wasn't worth waiting to get in, and the queue starts at 8.30 am for a 10.00 start.
Even the football stadia don't get that devotion.

Each year changes are made to help things run smoother.

My membership renewal is November 30th each year by direct debit, so I go straight in, and out as I please.
When thousands turn up, as they do, there's bound to be a queue, simply because of the enthusiasm of early arrivers

My personal view of the kitswap is that it's overhyped as a members only attraction, that is unnecessary, and it was instituted so that people were'nt doing a bring and buy from under their tables when the traders pay a premium rate..

I hope you make the effort to go, there are tremendous bargains, and great displays.
This year I only have to display on two club tables !bolton and kitmaker bulldogs
See you there hall 1 section 1 H

Paul

 

[Hawk_Uk]

Hawk Miniatures will be there as usual in Hall 2, hoping to be close by Sphere Products.
We will have al our recent release and more of those painted brushes we had a Euro.
Looking forward to catching up with everyone at the show as I find this show is also a great social event.

 

[Helm]

Just to clarify Paul it was the admin people I was let down by, not the people manning the desks etc
Steve

 

[peedee]

I understood that Steve don't worry,

I just want folks to understand it's really a giant friendly club show that has limits.

all the best buddy

paul

 

[Richie]

Hi Lads,
I hope to be there on the 7th, I'll do the tour and call by the Stoke and Bolton stands to say hello.
cheers
Richie

 

[Mark Dollery]

Yep, I will be there with the Cleveland IPMS club all weekend, so pop by & say Hello!
mark D

 

[peedee]

Yep, I will be there with the Cleveland IPMS club all weekend, so pop by & say Hello!
mark D

Sure will dude
p

 

[swralph]

Not been to the IPMS Nationals for a very long time.However apart from what Steve and Steve say.
I alway's enjoyed my day out there.
It really is a modeller's Mecca(maybe not so much figures)but being a modeller who will make anything that is just perfect for me and there is so much to see.
I would really love to go again,but being the way I am, it really is not a good idea.
Anyway to all those going have a great day or two.
All the best.
Ralph.

 

[valiant]

Can I just add that the length of the queue has never put me off and, yes its a brilliant show (with an increasing figure presence!) - very tiring, but at least this year, we will have a base to leave our purchases!!

 

[peedee]

For anyone interested,
Here's a link to the event layout, once in you can click on seperate links for detailed lists of
the traders and clubs attending


http://www.smwshow.com/showguide.php

Paul

 

[Mat Lambert]

Hoping to be there on the 7th (been looking forward to going all year after my first trip last year).
Cheers
Mat

 

[Babelfish]

Have been mulling over it and have decided I probably won't bother now this year, and instead will do it "properly" next year, i.e. renew IPMS membership in good time / book hotel room for the Friday and Saturday night / make a weekend of it.

- Steve

 

[peedee]

Shame you can't make it Steve, truly,....
I passed around the photo's of your Euro purchases
and all the traders had your description, a glass of wine and a chair ready !

We'll have to catch up after xmas at other shows.

Paul