I got as far as Sheffield for Joy of Six the past few years, Jim. This year the threat of industrial action coupled with increasingly regular bouts of gout made the trip a little too uncertain to bother with.

Alas, the move of Carronade's location might put that beyond reach too. I need to look at the travel options.

I went to Colours with some of the guys from the Aylesbury wargames club. I have to admit I only attend two or three shows each year. I tend to vary the ones I go each year if I can. Having helped out on various trade stands over the years, I spend most of my time chatting with traders I know from years back.

My show purchases are getting less and less, mainly due to the fact that I have plenty of projects already purchased more or less in full, and they are waiting for me to get round to them. After 40 + years gaming I also have most of what I want and all of what I need. So unless a new project or army takes my fancy my purchases are limited.  I now mainly buy paint and other sundry items. I spent under £20 at Colours including my entrance fee. A few bits from Leon, and some AK marker pens to try. The same was true of those I went with.

I tend to use shows to see what is new that I might have missed on the internet, and to see models "In the flesh". I saved myself from purchasing mistake at colours, as the figures I had seen online were not that good in the flesh. 

I prefer the smaller shows as they tend to be less crowded and you  can actually see what is on the stands. (Yes, I can remember Salute at Kensington town hall with Punters 3 deep at every stall).

I have noticed that a number of traders that while still in business, no longer seem to attend as many shows (if at all). For example I have not seen Ground Zero Games for several year at a show. Some traders are also reducing stand sizes and stock they bring to reduce cost.  A number of traders I would have expected to be at Colours were not there. I suspect this may well be down to the cost of attending shows - Travels Costs, Stand Costs, loss of production etc.

I also think that the hobby and indirectly Traders and Shows, is suffering from the age demographic of wargamers. Lots  (like me) have been gaming for some time and have large collections of Kit.  The age factor also  comes in as more wargamers pass away. Their kit then comes onto the market, often to friends and new members at the club who buy that rather than new stuff from traders.

All of the above combine to make a vicious circle. Venue costs go up, show purchases go down, Less traders attend due to cost and reduced profits, less punters attend due to less traders, Organisers have to charge more for stands and entry fees.....less traders attend  etc.   

While I suspect many of the shows struggle to break even, I know one or two make large profits. I am sure shows will continue as they offer a social aspect, and people like to see the models before buying