Pics and Report from Triples!

[Leon]

This past weekend we were down in Sheffield for the 2-day Triples event.

As usual, we headed down Friday and got the stand set up.  Big thanks must go to the organisers here, as we had underestimated how much space we would need, and they allowed us to purchase another 6ft and extend the stand further.  Setup took a little longer than usual as a result, but we soon got done and nipped out for some grub (and a couple of drinkies for Dave...   ).  

The Saturday morning started brightly, good numbers milling about, and lots of familiar faces popping by.  There were a couple of Dalek's collecting money for charity as well, but I didn't manage to grab any pics of them!




Towards the afternoon though, the aisles began to look a little empty, and it was a slow end to the day.  We popped out on the Saturday night for an Indian with Eldamarelf and a couple of other traders, which was nice.




Sunday was unfortunately quiet as well, and it led to the age-old "Do we need 2 day shows?" question among many of the traders.  From the trader point of view, the second day of any weekend show is always quiet.  Most of us would be over the moon to make just half of Saturday's business, but a lot end up with little more than their petrol money to get home.  The only show which we find has a decent Sunday crowd is the World's in Derby, but even that can be hit and miss.  Taking away the second day would mean a lot less costs at our end, but would it mean less sales as well?

There's many pro's and con's to combining a show into 1 day, I'd be interested to hear what other people think about it.  

So overall, the weekend was quieter than we would have expected, and almost every trader I spoke with said the same.  Whether this is down to a second year's close proximity to Partizan, or just a general economic downturn, I don't know.

On a more positive note, there were of course loads of excellent games on show!  













































Eldamarelf's 40mm game!















1:300th Falklands action:





























Mosborough Old Boys:











Rotherham Wargames Club - Lost in Africa, 20mm:





This was an excellent looking game, Battle of Mons, 1914:
























40mm Prince August figures:







I think this was my favourite of the day:










agtfos Morocco 1957 game!








Next up is Wappinshaw in Glasgow on the 2nd of June.  Make sure to get any pre-orders to us before the 26th please!

 

[Techno]

Nice pics as usual Leon !
Regarding your thoughts about two day shows....Difficult one that, I suppose....
But from the traders point of view, it sounds like it isn't really worth it...Though of course there will be some gamers who can't get there on the Saturday, so they'd be disappointed to lose the Sunday.

Cheers - Phil.

[Steve J]

Hi Leon,
I would be sad to lose the Sunday at Colours as for a few of us it is the easiest day to attend. It is also less of a rugby scrum from what I have heard, but then that probably means less trade for yourselves. If it was only a one day show, then I'm sure I would attend, but I think it would be so packed as to put me off attending future shows.
Steve.

[Bishop Lord]

Good report as always On the how many days for shows front, I think one day shows always appear a lot busier (for obvious reasons) and would be better for Traders. On the up side you did get your trophy for best 10mm No photo though

Jason

[Eldamarelf]

Personally as a punter to Triples i would be sad to see the second day gone but I understand the point of view of a trader and yes I have been to Triples behind a trade stand in fact I was covering for several traders at Tripples over both of the days it did seem quiet on the sunday but then again every show we go to goes dead after 3 even Salute dies towards the end.
Personally I would not like to see the end of the two day shows in all honesty I would not have been going to Triples if it was a one day show thats one of the reasons I dont attend Salute as a punter (yes I am there every year but I am always working) I think that the parking charge was a bit of a kick but when you look at it from a puerly cost aproach if you live north of London its cheaper to go up to Triples £8.50 for a day including parking Salute is £26.00 for the one day. Yes I know that you will all say that there are many more traders at Salute than at Triples and I agree but I have yet been able to get close to the bring and buy and for talking to Traders no chance.

Just my 2 pennies worth.

Tom H
aka Bilbo

[Hertsblue]

Great set of pics, Leon. And some good games. "Scruttockshire" - I must remember that one. 

As far as the two-day issue goes there are two entirely separate points of view - the customers' and that of the traders. It's obvious that the traders find two-day shows not to be cost-effective. They are obliged to attend for both days, involving an overnight stay, with no guarantee of an adequate return from the second day. I would have thought that most traders would balk at that sort of gamble.

From the customers' point of view, few of them will attend on both days (other than those putting on games). The choice of day then becomes a matter of convenience for the individual. Which day is a moot point.

On the crowding point, I've never been to a one day event which remained crowded for the entire day. Even Salute in the Kensington Town Hall venue used to thin out round about mid-afternoon. Most shows slow down after lunch when most people have made their purchases and seen all the games on offer. I've always made a point of shopping in the afternoon for that reason. So, is the two-day show an indulgence too far?   

[Leon]

To keep this separate from the Triples pics, I've thrown this one out into the General Discussion, so we can continue it over there.  If anyone wants to copy their posts over, feel free!

http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,5238.0.html

[Leon]

On the up side you did get your trophy for best 10mm No photo though

I took a picture of it just after you left on my tablet and after much fiddling, managed to get it up on our Facebook page!

http://www.facebook.com/pendraken



I'm going to get a pic of all 3 certificates and the two trophy's, and then post that up here.

 

[Bishop Lord]

after much fiddling, managed to get it up on our Facebook page!

ah the joys of technology

If you like send me a copy when you take the photo and I will do  a small write up and will send to the wargames press to if we can get 10mm some good press

Jason

[Leon]

ah the joys of technology

If you like send me a copy when you take the photo and I will do  a small write up and will send to the wargames press to if we can get 10mm some good press

Jason

I will do, I'm going to try and get it done on Sunday I think, after I'm done putting our shiny new sign up on the front of the unit!

 

[FierceKitty]

A Royal Oak pub in an ECW game? 

[Hertsblue]

A Royal Oak pub in an ECW game? 

The Ironside troopers will be along to sort them out shortly. 

[TheOlivant]

Thanks for the images, I didn't get to go this year so really appreciate a glimps of what I missed, looks like a good show again.

[nikharwood]

Agreed - nice pics again Leon 

[paulus]

Hi Leon ....many thanks for taking the pics at Triples....the Nam pics are spot on .....its a pity we could not demo Maurice as the Sheffield and Rotherham club now have a big following of 10mm enthusiasts feverishly painting 10mm Seven Years war

many thanks....

Paul

Sheffield and Rotheham Wargames