Leeds Swapmeet update ? Options

[loosesalute]

Typical Southerners answer from Phil.
Seriously though, with the likes of Pendle & Scale Models in the North West, maybe something could be arranged with the NSCC for a future event.
Cheers,
Kev

[philsmith]

Typical Southerners answer from Phil

Well I maybe a southerner Kev, but I did it five years ago with Orpington, there was no swapmeet within the M25, believe it or not and never had been. I knew nothing about running swapmeets, apart from attending them, but just went ahead and organised it. The first few were a bit dodgy but by persisiting with it I have now established a succeseful meeting, I see no reason why you can't do the same.
Yes I know I am in the South East where all the 'money is' but strangley the majority of my mail order customers live in the Midlands and North!

A few tips to anyone organising a meeting,
make sure it is within ten minutes of a motorway, make sure the hall is clean with easy access/parking and most importantly has natural light, so no Sports Halls please.
A cheap chain hotel within fifteen minutes is also handy.

Apart from advertising in the NSCC journal, Orpington is not affiliated with the NSCC in any way, it is an open meeting and all are welcome.
Restricting the entry of the public in any way by favouring NSCC members is, in my mind, a big put off to the public and not a good way of attracting them.

[loosesalute]

Tell you what Phil.
I`ll organise one up here in Costa-Del Sunderland, and you & Cooper can stop at our house FOC..our lass will even make fried breakfast & put some butties up for you in nice stottie cakes!
Some good points you raise Phil.
Interesting point you make about a lot of your buyers being Northern.
Honestly speaking the one main concern that I would have is the numbers that would attend. I wouldn`t spend £80 on petrol to go to the recent large Brooklands event,so I wouldn`t expect anyone from down south to go to the same expense for a small northern meeting.
Interestingly enough there is a busy toy fayre held at Gateshead International Stadium twice a year. Loads of top diecast , railway sellers ect,but no slots.
Very near to Newcastle. Could that not be a possible venue for the NSCC to look into?
Cheers.
Kev

[bensonsnuts]

I guess you get what you deserve ...re the Gateshead event or most other toy fairs ...You don't see much in the way of slotcars being bought or sold . I actually sold some of my stuff off there a few years ago . I thought I did ok but my expectations were low . The kid next to me was selling Star Wars stuff and he had customers about 5 deep at his stall !
If only a few more people would shout up maybe it would be worth organising ?

[col_de_turini]

Somewhere in easy reach of the Edinburgh-Glasgow zone would be attractive to a large community. Hexham ?
I would be prepared to travel as far as Darlington for a slot-car centered fair. There is a well established toy fair at Falkirk every month but little slot stuff. Having said that I first came across Pendle Slot Racing at an early edition of this (in Glasgow). Sadly Sean and crew never returned.

[bensonsnuts]

When I was a regular attendee at swapmeets in the 90's , I remember one of the regular sellers used to travel from the depths of Scotland . I was wondering if a new Northern meet would attract any interest from Scotland .
Our local club is based in Washington . A venue near there would be handy for the A1 and A19 .

[ads1969]

Guys,

The NSCC are still planning a Northern Swapmeet for next year in either March or April. Andy Carmichael, the NSCC Chairman, has been working on venues etc but has had to put matters on hold for the moment as his Dad is unwell, but the event will happen.

Indeed, we have already purhased a batch of cars from Scalextric which we will get additional tampo printing put on, along the lines of "NSCC Northern Swapmeet".

Hope this helps and look forward to seeing you all there.


Andy Smith
NSCC Membership Secretary.

[loosesalute]

Great news Andy!
Cheers
Kev

[col_de_turini]

Emm,
Easyjet do Stansted to Newcastle and back in a day for £50 so southerners might fancy that option if the location was adjacent to Newcastle Airport. I know that would re-classify the swapmeet as "Extreme North" but worth a thought.

Leo