May 9th and May 10th, two days that turned the clocks back to the 1940's and wartime Britain, Time Was indeed!!
We were at the Yorkshire Air Museum which over the last two days has been holding the annual Battlegroup North gathering of over 200 military vehicles, mainly Second World War, and assorted infantry in full battledress representing the many armies of the time, the Allies, the British, American and Russian and against them the Germans, I didn't see any Italians or Japanese there, but all factions seemed to get on together very well, as long as you didn't mention the ...!
There was also the Home Guard, complete with Captain Mainwaring, local Spivs, the Police, Ambulance and Fire personnel, women in 40's period dress, complete with seamed stockings, looks like those spivs did some brisk business. It all gave the feel of turning the clock back.
We were there along with a handful of traders in the Hangar housing many of the Museums collection, including the Halifax and Mosquito. Demonstration wargames were being played, including a very large representation of the Raid on St. Nazaire, and a highly detailed, but with very small intricately painted figures, Battle of Waterloo Game. Some traders had to rough it outside in the wind and rain of Saturday afternoon, shame... The sun was not too kind over the two days.
The two days saw, or more appropriately, heard the live firing of 25pdr cannons, which were situated just outside the Hangar. On the Saturday afternoon a single Spitfire overflew the airfield, a very impressive sight that of course emptied the Hangar.
Sunday and the UK Tank Club demonstrated their brilliant radio controlled tanks in a mock battle.
Loads of things were going on to make a great day out for any family. All in all an enjoyable couple of days. Anne didn't enjoy it too much as she was frozen for almost all of the Sunday, having had a warm day in the shop on the Saturday.
Ohh and we did quite a bit of business to!!
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Star Wars Fan Day - Burnley FC
A long time ago... In a football stadium far, far away... well yesterday in Burnley, Lancs on May 4th or to be more precise May the Fourth be with you, Time Was... was at Turf Moor, home to Burnley Football Club.
Only the home team hadn't turned up and the away team of Clone Troopers and their star striker Darth Vader played a blinder. It wasn't until Obi-Wan Kenobi and Chewbacca shored up the defence that things got better and the home supporters had something to cheer about.
It was a great day out, not only for the traders, not only for the Star Wars guests but mainly for the hundreds of kids of all ages, from a 14 week old Master Yoda to an 80 year old Star Wars fan. Many of the kids were in costume and took part in a fancy dress competition. It was difficult to chose who would win. Autographs were flying, light sabres were flashing and excited kids were everywhere.
BBC Radio Lancashire were there reporting on events throughout the day. Time Was... was also interviewed live on air to claim our 15 minutes of fame, well alot nearer to five minutes.
Although it was a long journey and a very early start Anne did appreciate the drive after we turned off the M62 and onto the A58 through Hebden Bridge and Todmorden, oh it did bring back memories of hills. A Lancashire lass for a Lancashire event.
An excellent day, well organised by Neil who was using the event to raise money for the local Hospice, and a huge success all round.
Only the home team hadn't turned up and the away team of Clone Troopers and their star striker Darth Vader played a blinder. It wasn't until Obi-Wan Kenobi and Chewbacca shored up the defence that things got better and the home supporters had something to cheer about.
It was a great day out, not only for the traders, not only for the Star Wars guests but mainly for the hundreds of kids of all ages, from a 14 week old Master Yoda to an 80 year old Star Wars fan. Many of the kids were in costume and took part in a fancy dress competition. It was difficult to chose who would win. Autographs were flying, light sabres were flashing and excited kids were everywhere.
BBC Radio Lancashire were there reporting on events throughout the day. Time Was... was also interviewed live on air to claim our 15 minutes of fame, well alot nearer to five minutes.
Although it was a long journey and a very early start Anne did appreciate the drive after we turned off the M62 and onto the A58 through Hebden Bridge and Todmorden, oh it did bring back memories of hills. A Lancashire lass for a Lancashire event.
An excellent day, well organised by Neil who was using the event to raise money for the local Hospice, and a huge success all round.
Saturday, 2 May 2009
MAY THE FOURTH - be with you
May the Fourth - this Bank Holiday Monday will see Time Was at the Star Wars Fan Fun Day being held at Burnley Football Club. This promises to be a great day out for Star Wars fans of all ages with activities and fancy dress for the kids and star guest signings for the rest of us.
For more information click the link below:-
http://www.timewasshop.co.uk/ImagePages/Woody/SW.htm
See you there!
May the Fourth be with you
For more information click the link below:-
http://www.timewasshop.co.uk/ImagePages/Woody/SW.htm
See you there!
May the Fourth be with you
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Toyfair - Spalding
Last Sunday, the 26th, saw Time Was at one of our regular haunts, Spalding Toyfair @ The Springfield Centre, Spalding, Lincs.
Unfortunately it was the same as recent fairs. Folks were about but they were being cagey with their money. Not a good fair for us this time, and once again we missed out on the lovely sunshine as we tended our wares in the exhibition hall. Pity the good folks of Spalding didn't make it worthwhile being cooped up. Still we did get a very good bacon butty, mine was topped with an egg but Anne's wasn't. Well I did give her the choice, but she did her bread in my yolk!!
Never mind there is 'May The Fourth Be With You' a Star Wars event this Bank Holiday Monday at Burnley Football Club to look forward to.
Lightsabres at the ready...
Unfortunately it was the same as recent fairs. Folks were about but they were being cagey with their money. Not a good fair for us this time, and once again we missed out on the lovely sunshine as we tended our wares in the exhibition hall. Pity the good folks of Spalding didn't make it worthwhile being cooped up. Still we did get a very good bacon butty, mine was topped with an egg but Anne's wasn't. Well I did give her the choice, but she did her bread in my yolk!!
Never mind there is 'May The Fourth Be With You' a Star Wars event this Bank Holiday Monday at Burnley Football Club to look forward to.
Lightsabres at the ready...
Sunday, 19 April 2009
Lincoln Toyfair - Oh Dear!!!
Maybe it was the weather, a nice sunny day!! Maybe it was the end of the Easter Holidays and folks are still away!! Maybe it was too many toyfairs too close together, both date wise and geographically!! But today, the 19th, was very poor. To put it another way, we took very little money and actually made a loss on the day. Not what we were hoping for.
It sounded like a common theme from other sellers today. Not only for today but in recent weeks as well. We are all hoping that things pick up soon, but are not expecting it. It's getting harder by the toyfair.
To top it all by the time we got back home, at a very early time, since most folks had packed up and gone way before official closing, we had sold one Postman Pat figure on Amazon for a mind blowing £3.50 less Amazon's fees. This time next year Rodders we'll be........ How does that finish???
Due to the early finish we did manage to grab some time in the sun in the back garden, but alas no G & T, just coffee and biscuits, and strange goings on by the cat and a shrub.
Still onwards and upwards, let's be positive. You need to check out the website, www.timewasshop.co.uk if case you'd forgotten, it's going through a gentle makeover. Not a Susannah and Trinny one, much more subtle than that. It's all to do with appearance, as that pair would say.
Look out next month for new products coming to Time Was... in the shop, online and at toyfairs.
See you in Spalding next week.
It sounded like a common theme from other sellers today. Not only for today but in recent weeks as well. We are all hoping that things pick up soon, but are not expecting it. It's getting harder by the toyfair.
To top it all by the time we got back home, at a very early time, since most folks had packed up and gone way before official closing, we had sold one Postman Pat figure on Amazon for a mind blowing £3.50 less Amazon's fees. This time next year Rodders we'll be........ How does that finish???
Due to the early finish we did manage to grab some time in the sun in the back garden, but alas no G & T, just coffee and biscuits, and strange goings on by the cat and a shrub.
Still onwards and upwards, let's be positive. You need to check out the website, www.timewasshop.co.uk if case you'd forgotten, it's going through a gentle makeover. Not a Susannah and Trinny one, much more subtle than that. It's all to do with appearance, as that pair would say.
Look out next month for new products coming to Time Was... in the shop, online and at toyfairs.
See you in Spalding next week.
Monday, 13 April 2009
The Great British Bank Holiday
Today saw Time Was at Huntingdon Toyfair at the Wood Green Animal Rescue Centre just outside of would you believe Huntingdon.
A nice sunny day for an Easter Bank Holiday Monday and the sunshine did bring in the customers, but the bright skies didn't encourage them to spend. It is still a struggle to get folks to part with their hard-earned cash in these credit crunching times.
We did our best with a vast choice and array of the finest collectables this side of the road. Well ok it wasn't vast!! but the choice was there from Doctor Who, Scooby Doo and Ben 10 to fairies and dragons. It was a good job that there we had the fairies as they kept our head above water.
We were definitely below average for Huntingdon but by the sounds of it we were lucky not to do the Newark Toyfair yesterday, Easter Sunday. A stroll along the river at Boston was so much better, even if it was in the rain.
A nice sunny day for an Easter Bank Holiday Monday and the sunshine did bring in the customers, but the bright skies didn't encourage them to spend. It is still a struggle to get folks to part with their hard-earned cash in these credit crunching times.
We did our best with a vast choice and array of the finest collectables this side of the road. Well ok it wasn't vast!! but the choice was there from Doctor Who, Scooby Doo and Ben 10 to fairies and dragons. It was a good job that there we had the fairies as they kept our head above water.
We were definitely below average for Huntingdon but by the sounds of it we were lucky not to do the Newark Toyfair yesterday, Easter Sunday. A stroll along the river at Boston was so much better, even if it was in the rain.
Sunday, 5 April 2009
Au Revoir Donnington
It's not goodbye just au revoir!! We were at the last toyfair for some time at Donnington Park today. Things are a changing there because something called Formula 1 is coming to town.
It was a nice sunny day today and the start of the Easter break for many people, but not for us. We were up at the crack of dawn, (well it felt like it!!), and set off for Donnington. The toyfair was well supported by dealers, though there was the odd empty table, and everyone had set up in plenty of time. There was a good turnout of folks through the door, though as has been the case at recent toyfairs, they were more picky in what they would spend their hard earned cash on.
Thankfully they seemed to like the reissued Product Enterprise die-casts from the world of Gerry Anderson. Overall and luckily for us they went for the more expensive items and not the cheap n cheerfuls, so although we didn't sell alot of things we did a bit and made a profit, which was nice.
Didn't find any bargains for ourselves though and not for the want of trying, but better luck next time. Which will be Huntingdon on Bank Holiday Monday.
It was a nice sunny day today and the start of the Easter break for many people, but not for us. We were up at the crack of dawn, (well it felt like it!!), and set off for Donnington. The toyfair was well supported by dealers, though there was the odd empty table, and everyone had set up in plenty of time. There was a good turnout of folks through the door, though as has been the case at recent toyfairs, they were more picky in what they would spend their hard earned cash on.
Thankfully they seemed to like the reissued Product Enterprise die-casts from the world of Gerry Anderson. Overall and luckily for us they went for the more expensive items and not the cheap n cheerfuls, so although we didn't sell alot of things we did a bit and made a profit, which was nice.
Didn't find any bargains for ourselves though and not for the want of trying, but better luck next time. Which will be Huntingdon on Bank Holiday Monday.
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