Monday 20 December 2010

The Grand reopening

Today is the reopening of the Shop in the Buttermarket in Newark Town Centre. After the Great Flood of the 6th we have finally got the shop back on its feet.

Noah has disembarked all the fairies and dragons two by two. The Daleks though just barged their way off, exterminating anything that got in their way. Merlin though with just a twinkle in his eye emerged to keep an eye on Arthur and Morgana. James Bond was shaken but not stirred by the flood. Well you get the picture!!

Mentioning the picture reminds me that we will have a new picture gallery in place with images from the world of TV and Film and fantasy.

Why not get down there and grab yourself a Christmas gift while you can. Don't rely on the Royal Mail because of the snow and ice. So don't forget Time Was... The Buttermarket, Newark-On-Trent, Notts, Santa's favourite place!!

A Cold Time Was Had By All

Yesterday, Sunday the 19th, saw Time Was... up before dawn and on the road to Wood Green Animal Centre at Huntingdon for the last toyfair before Christmas. Despite there being no snow, yes NO SNOW!!! between ourselves and Huntingdon it was still an extremely cold day. A severe frost had carpeted the fields and it all still looked like a winter wonderland.

Inside the hall wasn't that much warmer. Most of the dealers left their coats and hats on and there would have been much more rubbing of hands if more people had managed to get through the door. But with many dealers vehicles arriving at Huntingdon covered in snow we had already thought that attendance might be down, and it was.

Despite this we actually managed to have one of our best fairs there. Maybe not selling a lot of stuff but what we did was a good price because it was of course Quality!!!

Just a pity that we didn't get warm all day and had to wait until we got home to break of the icicles.

Tuesday 7 December 2010

Where's Noah??

After a reasonable toyfair at Spalding last Sunday, the 5th of December, and a very good posting of internet sales at our local Post Office in Cranwell we were feeling a wee bit chipper as to how Christmas was progressing. But then we received a phone call that took the wind out of our sails, or should that be sales? And it has set us back somewhat.

Our shop in the Buttermarket in Newark, directly below some of the offices in the Town Hall, was shipping water, not just a trickle but a flood. Rushing down to the shop for 5 O'clock we were met with water cascading from the ceiling and onto our stock. With the help of Gess we managed to move all of the soaked stock into another unit in the following two hours.

Soggy soft toys, drenched Daleks and dripping dragons all made their way upstairs. Apparently an air conditioning unit had broke down due to the weather and deposited its water onto us.

Hopefully we will be up and running in another downstairs unit within the Buttermarket in the next few days as a temporary home whilst the Council repair our shop.

But there will now be another deluge, this time of paperwork!!

So Time Was... is closed for the next few days, but like Arnie said, 'We'll be back', fingers crossed.

Monday 22 November 2010

Long time no hear

It's been a hectic time for the folks of Time Was... Full weekends on top of the shop and online at www.timewasshop.co.uk but it's all in a good cause. Like his elves we've been helping Santa with getting people ready for Christmas.

This month we've been to Stars Of Time at Weston-Super-Mare, Norwich Sci-Fi show surprisingly at Norwich, then back to Norwich for a toyfair by JJ Webb and this weekend just gone Memorabilia at the NEC.

Well apart from a wee bit of misorganisation at the start of both days by the organisers, and the usual traffic regulations at the NEC it was a terrific weekend. We decided to take our Fantasy figures range and Alchemy Jewellery which went down a storm. Busy didn't describe it, though not busy enough stop a wee bit of wandering, looking for those all important bargains. On the Sci-Fi side we sold well and sold one of the Captured in Space Star Trek collectables, which was excellent to say the least.

The celebrities at the show were shall we say B or C list, either that or we don't keep up to date with what's on TV. But there were celebrities from our era, Kenneth Cope - Marty Hopkirk if you didn't know, Derek Fowlds, Katy Manning, Jess Conrad, Derren Nesbitt to mention a few.

But on the distinct down side the wrestling and Robot Wars did seem to drown everything else out. Especially the wrestling and if you're not a fan, well it can be annoying when chatting to customers.

There were the usual folks in costume wandering around which attracted a lot of attention, especially one who kept wandering by, if you were there you'd know who she was.

But all-in-all a very good show, despite the niggles, taking a lot of sales does help of course.

Next stop a local event, the Sleaford Christmas Market on the 28th. It's that time of year already.

Sunday 17 October 2010

Bakewell Tarts

After a couple of successful toyfairs at the Old Glory Wargames event at Derby University and our usual foray into Cambridgeshire at the Animal Rescue Centre in Huntingdon, we fell back to earth with a bit of a bump. We were at Bakewell Agriculture Centre for another excellently organised toyfair by MB Toyfairs, but unfortunately despite a good turn out of traders, and people through the door, there were just not enough folks ready to put their hands into their pockets to part with their hard earned cash. They were even less ready to use the plastic, no flexible friends there then.

Still it's a good job the internet has picked up, especially with some of our new lines that are now available. Check out the website and the new Star Trek 'Captured In Space' limited edition Acrylic models and the Gothic Gifts range, and there is so much more!!

Get ready for Halloween with the Gothic Gift range and Fantasy figures.

Sunday 19 September 2010

Oh Dear! Oh Dear!! Oh Dear!!!

Yesterday it was good for Aled Jones and Songs of Praise, it was good for Fiona Bruce and the Antiques Roadshow but for Time Was... Beverley in Yorkshire was anything but good. Despite the best efforts of our host MB Toyfairs the toyfair just didn't do anything. Dealers were down because of toyfairs at the Reebok Stadium and at Mansfield, but that should have been better for ourselves.

The weather didn't help but there was still a healthy amount of people through the door, unfortunately like last time they weren't many, if any, buyers amongst them. We managed to buy almost as much as we sold and that wasn't much.

Still we have a weekend off next week and then we're on a run of seven weekends of fairs, from toyfairs to wargames events to Memorabilia on 20 and 21 November. Things should pick up in the next few events, hopefully!!

Monday 13 September 2010

Daleks

The Daleks have returned!!! The new 13 inch Remote control Dalek Drone, that's the new red one, and the 5 inch Ironside have arrived at Time Was... So have a look at the website at www.timewasshop.co.uk/Daleks.htm and get them quick before they run out!! If only they had legs they could then run!!

Although there isn't a picture, Daleks are very shy you know, there is the new 'Blackout' Ironside Dalek, where the voice indicators have been covered up just in case Jerry turns up.

Spalding Toyfair

Yesterday the 12th took us back to Springfields at Spalding for another toyfair organised by J & J Webb. With other shows going off locally, and finally a decent day of weather, the fair looked a bit sparse in buyers as well as dealers.

Needless to say this sparsity, if that's a word, took it's heavy toll on sales. Many an hour was spent watching the world go by and eventually everyone called it a day and we all went for an early bath.

Not a lot to say other than there are easier ways to lose money.

Sunday 22 August 2010

Huntingdon Toyfair again

Sunday 22nd saw Time Was... back at Huntingdon Toyfair, this time sans PJ Gifts as they were elsewhere. After a holiday in Wales last week Time Was... was back to business, in fact the shop reopens today the 23rd, with all the usual bargains to be had.

It took a while after our holiday to get back into the swing of things but as it turned out the toyfair was spot on average for us, so not a lot to write home about, but average these days is pretty good really. The new Doctor Who merchandise went very well, so if you want a remote control Dalek you need to get to the shop pronto.

Also the new range of fairies and fantasy figures caught the eye of many a person, and some even managed to buy.

It's back to Norwich on the bank holiday Monday so don't forget get your Dalek's quickly. Ideal for Christmas. Did someone mention Christmas??? We were a bit gobsmacked that in some of the 'small' shops, like ours, in Wales they already had the Christmas decorations out for sale. Must be because of something they know!!!

Monday 9 August 2010

Wroxham & Hoveton Lions Club Motor Show

The 8th of August saw Time Was... on the road very early in the morning for a journey down to Norwich Rugby Club for the annual Wroxham & Hoveton Lions Club Motor Show. This year it had a sci-fi theme with Daleks, Judoon and Weeping Angels mixing it with new cars, classic cars and bikes, live music and other attractions.

The day started very well in Lincolnshire with bright blue skies but as we neared Norwich the clouds turned a distinctive grey colour, and the wind picked up. All we needed for an outdoor event. But we managed to get the gazebo up and our stall sorted out with the hint of heavy rain in the air. And that's how it stayed at the start of the event but as the day drew on the Sun came out to such an extent that we are now the owners of red faces and arms, pity we forgot the suncream. Despite the arrival of the Sun, unfortunately the wind didn't die down and we were on tenterhooks all day as to whether our stock would literally fly off the shelves.

The wind had the best chance of shifting the stock as not too many folks were out to buy things, despite being able to pick up bargains like a convertable Peugeot for a mere £29 000. We did sell a few things but on the whole we didn't do too well.

Despite this it looks like the Lions club did raise a good sum of money for their charities including 'Help for Heroes'. A very well organised event that was enjoyable, though the band could do with a change of tempo every now and again, and was an excellent family day out.

Monday 26 July 2010

Thrifty Yorkshire Folks

Time Was... spent the day, Sunday 25th, at Doncaster Racecourse for another toyfair organised by Mike of MB Toyfairs.

In what turned out to be a very good day for us, in these recession hit times, I still say recession as the folks who came through the door were still a wee bit canny with their money. Thrifty to say the least. But despite that some old favourites sold very well, Gerry Anderson, Fantasy Figures and of course Doctor Who.

Pity about the Star Trek items we had. We actually bought more Star Trek than we sold, well ok no sales isn't difficult to beat. But we have a Star Trek event coming up in October in Manchester so they will come in handy.

If you do make it to Doncaster Racecourse for a toy fair or that other thing they do there, I think it's race horses for some strange reason, have a bacon and egg butty, well worth it for an empty stomach. But don't buy one until you've been to our stall as we have plenty of bargains from the world of Sci-Fi & Fantasy.

Monday 19 July 2010

Lincoln Toyfair

Sunday the 18th took Time Was... to Lincoln Toyfair organised by J & J Webb Toyfairs. A slightly overcast day with a steady drizzle not just of rain but customers as well. Surprisingly quite a few regular traders were missing, but more importantly quite a few customers were missing, but then again some of the schools have broken up, maybe some folks had flown off to the sunnier climes of Skegness.

Despite the new range of Doctor Who figures (also available at Time Was... The Buttermarket, Newark, Notts) catching the eye of folks, especially the Eleven Doctor Set, no-one decided to part with their hard-earned cash on them, but instead took a few of the older figures as well as some stalwarts from the world of Star Trek & Captain Scarlet. It was the Corgi models that sold, perhaps because Corgi no longer make them.

The fairy & fantasy figures also had a fair day, but with some of our regular customers missing it was good to see that they still sold ok.

Despite everything we had a fairly decent day, just a few sales shy of a good day and even more sales shy of an excellent day. But onwards and upwards its Doncaster Toyfair on the 25th. Hopefully we'll see you there.

Monday 28 June 2010

England lost!!

All of Saturday & Sunday of the 26th, 27th Time Was... was at TrekFest II at the National Space Centre in Leicester. Although we made some money it was a relatively quiet affair, despite the best intentions of the crew of the Enterprise D, various Klingons and an Andorian. Even the Batlaath Training was a quiet affair, not very loud these Klingons!

Two things went against the event, first was the weather. The Space Centre, if you haven't been, is a bad weather venue. It's expensive to get in, but well worth it once you're inside. But you need to spend many hours to see all the exhibits, ideal when it's raining, not when it's a glorious day like we had on Saturday. So needless to say it wasn't heaving with Federation operatives.

Then of course there was Sunday. Another gloriously hot day, but also the England - Germany match in the afternoon. England couldn't even get it right to avoid Germany in the quarter finals, but why watch when you know we can't beat Germany, so needless to say the Space Centre was almost empty the entire day. Ideal if you don't like football and want to spend a lazy time wandering around the exhibits and not having to push your way past screaming kids.

Thanks to a couple of Klingons though we did sell some things on the Sunday and we even won on the raffle, though possibly we were the only ticket holders.

A shame really when TrekFest II was all for charity and the location donated by the Space Centre.

Still there is always TrekFest III.

All together now... 'there's Klingons on the Starboard bow, Starboard bow...'

Ok perhaps you don't remember the Firm!

Monday 21 June 2010

Huntingdon Toyfair

On the eve of the summer solstice, and the longest day, and as we couldn't get to Stonehenge because of the Druids, revellers and not to mention the Pandorica, Time Was... went to the Wood Green Animal Centre at Huntingdon for another Toyfair there. It was almost the same. Plenty of weird folks and that was just the traders. Some of the young ones who came looking for Doctor Who toys seemed excited about the final episode and wondered how the Doctor would escape the Pandorica, and poor Amy!! Best watch Saturday then!

The toyfair started off so well but then soon petered out but at least we hit our modest target. It's amazing that old, but unused, diecast cars won't sell in their boxes at a modest £0.99, but take them out and they just go. But we spent more than usual as we also sourced some items for our next forage into the world of Star Trek and Trekfest II at the National Space Centre in Leicester, on the 26th and 27th of June.

If you want to see Borg, Romulans and not to mention Klingons on the Starboard bow, then come along to Trekfest II and have a day out or two. It's life Jim but not as we know it.

Beam me up, Scotty.

Monday 14 June 2010

It was Pudsey.. but not

It was Pudsey... but not Children In Need Pudsey last Sunday, 13th. The first occasion that Time Was... had ventured to the Civic Hall for a Toyfair, though we were there for Recon 2009 and will again be at the Civic Hall for Recon 2010.

Despite following the Googled directions, no Sat Nav's for us, we managed to miss the turning in Leeds and had to do a circuit of the City to get back to the M621 so we could retrace our steps. So the day didn't start well, and it started at the unusual hour of 5 a.m. and then the day got progressively worse.

We had a 'lovely' selection of fairies and witches, together with a substantial selection of Doctor Who and other Sci-Fi shows. Everything brand new and in pristine condition. Well we didn't get a look in, or even a look at, as the good folk of Pudsey just wandered straight by us. Most of what was selling in the Hall was old playworn toys. The punters of Pudsey had long deep and somewhat empty pockets. Where were all the Doctor Who fans???? Or isn't BBC1 on the TV's of Pudsey?

By 2 p.m. we hadn't even taken the cost of the table and our sandwiches and cakes were all gone, so we couldn't afford to buy anymore.

On the way home we had to endure torrential rain at times only to find that in our neck of the woods it had been a beautiful sunny day. That sort of put the icing on a very disappointing day. Perhaps it was because it was the 13th, or the lack of Magpies on the journey up, or even the ladder that we walked under in the Civic Hall. Not really, just looking for excuses. We hadn't taken the right goods.

But are we downhearted? Well yes!

Monday 7 June 2010

D-Day 6th June - Spalding

With all the military precision of Operation Overlord Time Was returned to the wilds of Spalding and the Springfields Centre for another Toyfair. Unfortunately troop numbers were down as there was a second major front opening at the NEC, so Spalding turned out to be just divertionary tactics. Those tactics as organised by Field-Marshall Webb didn't quite pay off, not only were dealer numbers down, as some had switched to the NEC, but also buyers were down.

A very disappointing return was made on the Toy Front, but the Fantasy figures kept their end up so to speak. So although Time Was could have had a very bad day, a rally by the troops at the end saved the day.

Maybe the weather didn't help, it started off hot and sunny, but as the day wore on and stragglers found themselves marching towards the centre the heavens opened with a vengance. Torrential rain, thunder & lightning the whole lot for about 45 minutes kept those who were inside in, and those outside never to get anywhere near. Even the smokers stayed indoors and let their nervous tics get the better of them, except the real hardy ones who crouched by the open doors.

Never in the field of toyfairs has so little been spent by so few on toys to Time Was. God Bless the fairies.

Next stop on the advance is a new toyfair for Time Was at Pudsey on the 13th, lets hope it isn't unlucky for some!

Monday 31 May 2010

Doncaster Toyfair

It was back to Doncaster for another Toyfair run by Mike at MB Toyfairs. As usual it was a big event at Doncaster Racecourse, unfortunately it seemed that there were slightly less people through the door as usual and also a few empty tables left by dealers who didn't turn up. But it is the Bank Holiday weekend and depsite the weather I bet some folks made the most of the three days and toddled off somewhere.

Toddling with us to Doncaster were some of the new witches and spider fairies that we have just had delivered, and despite the 'window shopping' by many folks we only managed to sell two fantasy figures, very disappointing despite the positive comments by the window shoppers. Even our regulars, though they liked them, said they couldn't quite afford them at the moment, or was that their polite way of saying, No Thanks?

Maybe not as on the toy side it was just as disappointing, with very few sales again despite new products on show.

But it seemed to be the same all over the fair, with traders bemoaning the lack of money floating around. This seems to be the way of things this past year since the recession hit. Everyone's trying their best, dealers and organisers alike. But you can't force people to part with their money.

It's the same on the internet with sales having slowed down there as well. But we persevere, are we down hearted? Not yet.

Sunday 16 May 2010

Bakewell - oh what a pudding!!

Sunday the 16th took Time Was... to Bakewell, set in the heart of rural Derbyshire. A lovely day, a tad overcast on the run-in through the winding country roads, but sunny when we got there. Mike from MB Toyfairs was on hand to check that everything went well. The venue was excellent, the layout very good, plenty of space to store the empty boxes etc... Plenty of signs around Bakewell to say there was a toyfair on. Although there was a car boot sale nearby that was already in full flow. The start time of the fair gave everyone, even the latecomers, time to set up. So by 10:30 we were raring to go.

Then came 10:30 and the expected folks through the door just didn't materialize. Those that did unfortunately weren't in the spending mood and so when we packed up we more or less had the same amount of stuff to put away. It wasn't a good day for Time Was... Despite all his efforts Mike can't drag people off the streets, though since we're in farming country maybe a couple of sheepdogs might have helped. Get down Shep!!! And once they're in Mike can't force them to spend.

All-in-all unfortunately yesterday was a disappointing day. Still onwards and upwards, it's Doncaster on the 30th and Mike's MB Toyfairs always excels there.

Sunday 9 May 2010

Battlegroup North - Yorkshire Air Museum

The tanks roared into the Yorkshire Air Museum and the Jeeps came loaded with troops of all nationalities also not to mention the Home Guard and Captain Mainwaring and what's his name, 'Don't tell him Pike!'. Actually there were at least two Private Pikes that I saw.

It was the annual Battlegroup North re-enactment event this weekend the 8th & 9th. Time Was... were billeted in the Canadian Memorial Hanger again, and yet again it was a cold and windy weekend. This meant that the Hanger was also very cold so it was blankets at the ready. Even the 'troops' or the wargamers or even the visitors at the Museum must have been cold as they couldn't warm their hands by getting a bit more money out. Even though it had the same atmosphere as last year it just didn't quite match it.

The highlight of the weekend was selling the Fairies from our fantasy range, who'd have thought it, Fairies!! When all around were jackbooted soldiers.

Even the flypast by the Hurricane, though impressive was very short and that only took us outside into the 'warmth' for a few minutes, that's how cold the hanger was.

It was a couple of long tiring days for little to show, even missed Doctor Who on Saturday as not back before 7pm, still with wibbly wobbly timey wimey we were able to watch the recording.

Tuesday 4 May 2010

Bank Holiday weekend

Well it may have been a holiday time for a lot of folks, but at Time Was it was a busy ol'time. On Saturday the first we were up before the crack of dawn to get down to Weston Super Mare and the Stars of Time convention at the Winter Gardens. A small but very well organised event, starring Colin Baker, Caroline Munro and Britt Ekland to mention a few.

There were plenty of people about in what was a family day out especially young kids. Doctor Who was the main theme as there were plenty of Daleks roaming around. Of course James Bond and Star Wars were well represented.

Despite the roadworks on the prom, the Winter Gardens were very easy to find despite the 200 mile journey through the middle of the night. We had a very successful day but extremely tiring day, not tiring enough though as we caught up with the Good Doctor and those Weeping Angels later that night. Not sure what happened to the sunny holiday weather that brought the crowds out, but on the way home we went through torrential downpours which made us feel even more tired than we were.

Sunday was very much a day of rest and recuperation as we needed to recharge our batteries, and at our age that takes some recharging, since on Sunday the 3rd we were at Burnley FC for a Star Wars day. Not quite May the Fourth Be With You, as the Third doesn't quite scan. Again it was a family day out, well organised by Neil again for a second year.

Plenty of screaming Jedi's fighting Stormtroopers and the like, or was that the little ones trying to get there parents to buy more and more action figures? Like Weston Super Mare the atmosphere was excellent and it all made for a very enjoyable and again busy day.

Back home and we were able to put our feet up, raise a glass and then hunt through an empty fridge for something to eat. At least we bought the wine on the way home, pity we didn't think about food as well.

Sunday 25 April 2010

Lincoln Toyfair

Woke up on Sunday the 25th to a miserable morning, even Aled Jones couldn't quite lift the gloom, that's Radio 2 for you young uns. Driving the short distance to Lincoln through grey clouds and heavy drizzle didn't bode well for the Lincoln Toyfair as organised by JJ Webb.

It's not been the same since the showground folks decided to redevelop the site and we lost the side room we used to be in. But despite this we did ok managing to sell a mixture of items. Though the money that we got in, not exactly a fortune, was soon redistributed between our fellow traders. Sounds a bit like good old Robin Hood, though we didn't quite have the Lincoln Green tights on!!

So in glorious sunshine, which we missed the most of, we returned to our humble abode amidst the green wood of Lincolnshire with not so much more money but loads of Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica ready for our next two fairs, the Stars in our Time at Weston Super Mare on Saturday May 1st and May The Third Be With You at Burnley FC on May 3 surprisingly enough. Not quite the ring to it as May The Fourth Be With You, but as you can guess it is a Star Wars event, let's hope as good as last years and that Burnley's relegation doesn't put a dampner on it.

Tuesday 20 April 2010

A busy weekend for Time Was

Last weekend, the 18th & 19th saw Time Was... at the Sheffiled Triples 2010 event in of all places Sheffield, and also on the 19th at Huntingdon Toyfair.

On the Saturday we made our way to the English Institute of Sport, more importantly the Netball Court. A well organised wargaming event had us set-up in no time and soon after the doors opened we had our first sale. Even though it was to go on till 6 pm, the event appeared to be a success and Saturday was a long but very good day for Time Was... This was a big show, plenty of traders and demonstration games as well tournament games, and we may have been a little fish in a big pond but we were doing very well.

Sunday though was not so good, for a couple of events. One of which was the Sheffield Football derby between United and Wednesday. This seems to be the cause of the low turnout on Sunday and because of that we did very little trade, which due to other reasons perhaps wasn't too bad as our minds were not completely on the ball.

At Huntingdon toyfair we fared a lot better. Sales were up although all we had were the fairies and fantasy figures due to room space in the car. But due to events we were very gratefully supported by Paul and Peter, who managed to keep spirits up, and more importantly get through to Sheffield. Many thanks go to those two!!!

All-in-all not too bad a weekend trade wise, but a weekend we'd rather not have had.

Perhaps a bit cryptic but then some folks will know why.

Monday 12 April 2010

Beverley Toyfair

Time Was... joined many other traders for the inaugral Toyfair in Beverley, Yorkshire organised by Mike Bishop of MB Toyfairs.

Up at the crack of dawn and a first ever crossing over the Humber Bridge, impressive structure with a £2.70 toll either way, no wonder folks moan if they do the journey two or three times a week. But the journey to the Leisure Centre in Beverley, which is under the watchful gaze of the impressive Minster, was straightforward and we arrived in plenty of time. Clear blue skies, a beautiful spring morning and the traders had a spring of anticipation in their step.

We were set up with time to spare, time to get some bargains, and we did manage to snap up a few. Sadly when it came to opening time the customers were not very forthcoming with their money. Either that or they didn't like our fayre. It was a disappointing few hours and we returned with less money than we started with!! Oh dear.

But it was the first one. Also Mike got the people through the door, as usual, actually 50% more than he hoped for, which is all we can ask Mike to do. It's up to the traders to bring along the right stuff.

Next time we'll take different lines and hope for better things. It's early days for Beverley, let's hope other traders feel the same way.

Monday 22 March 2010

And they're off!

Time Was... was back at one of our 7 to 4 odds on favourite toyfairs yesterday at Doncaster Racecourse, which is in Doncaster would you believe. Trained by Mike of MB Toyfairs. Unfortunately despite a great turn out by traders, there were more there than ever before, it was the day of the Sport Relief Mile. Maybe that had some bearing on the turnout of customers, as they were certainly a wee bit lacking and those that did turn out struggled to put too much money on the table.

It was a slow day all round, not just for Time Was... but also for everyone else. We did though pick up a couple of bargains, see we were also helping other traders make a few pounds. Hopefully these bargains will get turned around fairly quickly at Memorabilia at the NEC next weekend, the 27th and 28th of March.

At the end of the day despite a lack of actual sales we did manage to turn a profit, which was nice. No matter how small it was.

Hopefully the next Doncaster Toy Fair on the 30th of May will be back to normal.

So to summarise yesterday, the going was heavy, with just a few jumps throughout the day until the very flat final furlong. Oh and drinks in the winners enclosure when we got back home.

Friday 19 March 2010

We've moved

Time Was got into the TARDIS yesterday and rematerialised into our new shop. We've moved a long, long, long way through time and space. Well actually all the way from upstairs to downstairs in the Buttermarket Shopping Centre in Newark. It makes us a bit further away from the coffee and the bagels, but a trek upstairs isn't going to stop the cuppas.

Hopefully the change will do us good, it doesn't seem to have hurt The Doctor going from the 10th to the 11th incarnation. This is just our second incarnation so we're pretty new at this.

Sunday 7 March 2010

Bakewell Tarts

Yesterday the 7th March saw the return of the Bakewell Toyfair organised by Mike Bishop of MB Toyfairs. As it was a new one to Time Was... we weren't sure of how long it would take to get there through all the winding roads of the Derbyshire Dales, so we were on the road for 6. A very, very cold but bright start to the day. It didn't take as long as anticipated to get there and a well organised Mike guided us in and so we were ready for the off way before opening time.

The venue, the Agricultural Centre, had the benefit of being the stop-off point for the walkers, ramblers and general tourists arriving by coach, so there was a steady stream of customers through the door. Many hadn't even thought of going to a Toyfair so they weren't ready to part with that hard earned cash, but we'll get 'em next time!

The fair was just 70 tables, but the atmosphere was good, the venue excellent, even though we didn't sample the Bakewell Tarts, just the Banoffee and Chocolate cakes. The Tarts must have been elsewhere!!!

The journey back took considerably longer as the usual bottleneck in Matlock occurred despite the new road round it.

All-in-all not a bad first fair, didn't break any records, just one witch, but it's something to build on. And we did bag a few bargains ourselves. Though 6 o'clock starts are not on the cards.

Monday 1 March 2010

It's been a while

After a holiday in North Wales, wet & windy as it was it was still good to get away. But it was back to the rounds of Toyfairs and the like. Having missed out on one of our favourite toyfairs at Spalding as we travelled to the land of the Daffodils, Time Was... last Sunday went down to East Anglia and one of Nicholas Parsons' well known haunts, Norwich. It was just like being in Wales, wet & windy, the weather must have been following us around!! Though it was only our second time there, we did have some folks who came back and bought from us again, which was nice. In fact it turned out to be a very good day and well organised as usual by JJ Webb Toyfairs.

The new Doctor Who End of Time figures, featuring the regeneration of 10th to 11th Doctor and the Master and Narrator from the excellent Christmas Episodes were dematerializing at a very fatst rate. Also the new Star Wars figures felt the force of peoples pounds.

Together with the fairy and fantasy figures it was a very good if long day.

Next stop Bakewell.

Monday 1 February 2010

Bad luck or what?

Yesterday, Sunday, saw Time Was... at Kettering Toyfair, in particular at the Arena for what turned out to be our best toyfair in quite a while. The toys were selling, the fairies were simply vanishing into fairy dust and there were a few bargains to be found as well. What could have been better?

The day started bright and dry, if a wee bit cold, as we drove down the A43, Aled was on the air, not walking in the air!! All in all a very good day was to be had. And then the bombshell hit as we arrived this was to be our last toyfair at Kettering for sometime.

The Kettering Arena has taken on new management and decided that the place should do what it was designed for, to play sport, so they have cancelled all the Toyfairs that Barry Potter had booked there for the rest of the year. This has to be shortsighted on the part of the new management since the place was buzzing, the bar seemed to be doing a good trade as well, which must be good for them, and I bet Barry was paying a nice price for the privilege of staging one of his fairs. Oh well instead of hundreds in the Arena next time there will be 22 folks kicking a football around. After-all if you want sport why not go down and to Nottingham Forest and see how it's done and watch 11 blokes who know how to kick a football.

And then as we left it got slightly worse as a missed turning meant a 6-six mile round trip to get back on the road to home. Still the music was good on Radio 2, Sounds of the 70's with Johnnie Walker, the DJ not the whisky. Now we're showing our age as we sang along with Middle of the Road and Chirpy, Chirpy, Cheep, Cheep. One of Tony Blackburn's all-time heavy rock greats!!!

Tuesday 26 January 2010

Busy Busy Busy

Its been a bit hectic at Time Was... recently despite the snow and all not letting us open the shop. A wee bit too much black ice!! The internet sales though have picked up and since we are now out of a recession things are looking brighter. Oops was that a pig just flying by?

Last Sunday though was a bit of a trier!! On the A14 to Huntingdon toyfair the junction before the one we wanted was closed, and the diversion seemed like Chris Rea's road to nowhere. Well not quite nowhere, it was somewhere, but where we weren't sure. Having passed the same house three times we came to the conclusion we were definitely somewhere and that was LOST.

Still we managed to get to Wood Green Animal Centre in the end, only a few dozen extra miles but an extra 45 minutes on the journey. So the day started well to say the least, and by the time we had finished it wasn't that much better. We had a few sales but nothing to write home about, besides I've lost the address.

But we have now received the Classic Wave 2 figures from Doctor Who including the Ice Warriors, Voc Robot and more, and the Journal of Impossible Things and the Master's Ring set. Almost all are available at www.timewasshop.co.uk I say almost because they have been flying off the shelves. Something that the USS Voyager from Star Trek continues to do on-line. We can't get enough of them. Make sure you get yours before they all go.

Perhaps that wasn't a pig I saw flying.

Wednesday 13 January 2010

Doctor Who - The End Of Time - Coming Soon




Coming soon to Time Was... and http://www.timewasshop.co.uk/ are the new End of Time collectables from the Christmas 2009 editions of Doctor Who. Go to the website to find out more!!!








Friday 1 January 2010

Happy New Year!!!

New Years Eve saw Time Was... at Doncaster Racecourse, not for the off but for another excellent toyfair organised by Mike Bishop of MB Toyfairs. After a little bit of a slow start the buyers descended onto our stall, though not to the Fairy and Fantasy side of things. They were after good old, well new actually, toys. In particular Star Wars and Star Trek, two hardy perennials!! Sounds a bit like gardening to me.

So Doncaster made up for the Lincoln Toyfair on Monday, which unfortunately wasn't the hoped for spending of Christmas monies. Today after a leisurely get up, following the fireworks that all our neighbours seemed to have to celebrate the New Year that lit up the night sky, we decided to go to the Newark Toyfair as buyers and not sellers. Unfortunately we didn't buy anything - is that hypocritical of us???

Anyway let's hope that the New Year brings an end to the recession that those kind bankers gave us all, so that things pick up. It has been a bit disappointing this year both in the shop, at Toyfairs and on-line, ohh that's three disappointments.

But are we downhearted?? No we're not. There's new Doctor Who items in the pipeline ready for the Eleventh Doctor, but that's all hush-hush at the moment, so lips are sealed. Then there will be evn more from the world of sci-fi for example from Avatar and the Prince of Persia and possibly a new Ghostbusters on the way. Not to mention the wargaming and role-playing goodies that are soon to be coming out. All-in-all things look better for 2010.