Meet Up at Doncaster!

[Dave Yates 1Participant @daveyates1]

I was there on Sat. and I too left with a lighter wallet having found most of what I wanted. "Found" being the operative word as, like Mike, I spent a good deal of time looking for stands, signage could be a lot better. Like others we only found the upstairs bit by chance. I might be a grumpy old git but I do prefer the layout at Harrogate with most of the trade stands together in the first hall and all the club stands together in the second. Having said that the huge catering area was markedly superior both in quality and price  Does anybody know if the show will be back at Harrogate next year or is this a permanent move.

Some super models on show and I left marvelling at the skill and patience of the builders

Dave Yates

Edited By Dave Yates 1 on 23/05/2016 08:20:33

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Definitely on at Doncaster next year. Harrogate has priced themselves out of the market. Rumour has it they wanted ?66,000 rent for the 3 days. All that would have done is put rents and gate fees up and killed the show.

I liked the new venue, far better than standing in a rusty cow shed or tent and for a first time I think Lou and Gavin Rex had it pretty much sorted but it will take a couple of years to knock the rough edges off.

Edited By John Stevenson on 23/05/2016 08:44:46

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

I agree with most of the above, I went on Friday, first thing. Easy to park right opposite the Racecourse.

Most seemed have bought advance tickets so there was a long meandering queue out and along the pavement before the doors opened. Harrogate used to have a few Marshalls checking if you were in the correct queue. When we got near the doors (only one set in use) we could see that cash payers could walk straight in and no takers!

The general lighting level was far too low, almost dim and I was not the only one saying so. Would have preferred the Clubs all together, there was a tendency to miss some, whilst looking for the traders.

I too am from the deepest south in Hampshire and will be going again, well done Lou and Gavin, just a little tidying to do as JS says.

Edited By KWIL on 05/06/2016 19:54:30

[Ian WelfordParticipant @ianwelford58739]

Like John S , I was there all 3 days. For the first time in living memory (mine anyway) Friday was pleasant ie enough space to move about and chat to people without being shoulder charged by people desperate to get to a bargain!

Marshalling for the car park needed sorting on Friday but this was done by Saturday. Lighting seemed OK to me but I agree about signage- so much betting shop signage hanging about the tv screens updating you were generally ignored. Although its further ( Harrogate being on my door step almost) I would definitely go again.

It needed bigger signs at the doors to tell you about upstairs perhaps.

Well done the Rex family and helpers!

[michael howarth 1Participant @michaelhowarth1]

We really enjoyed our day at Doncaster but agree with most of the comments above regarding tweaks that will no doubt be implemented in the future. May I also ask for consideration to be given to a couple of other points. When we arrived, 1/2 hour before doors opening I was busting for a trip down "prostate alley" as I think JS described it. Next time I will ensure that I stop off and do the necessary before I get there ……unless an "earlycomers" facility could be opened…difficult I know. The second thing that I would like to ask is that those brethren who are harnessed to a rucksack either fit rear view mirrors or take a glance behind them occasionally before turning thus avoiding whacking the likes of my wife in the side of the head.

Mick

[Gary WoodingParticipant @garywooding25363]

I went on the Saturday; there was no problem with parking, but the same cannot be said about the admission queue. It appeared to be a single queue that stretched along the side parallel to the road. It wasn't until you got into the plaza that you could see the sign for advance ticket holders, but that was after unnecessarily queuing for some time with people wanting to buy tickets. The sign had been obscured by the queue when I initially walked up looking for the advanced admission door, so I went back to join the end of the only apparent queue..

I too thought the show was better than Harrogate, with some new models and more interesting exhibits. I found the TV-type information monitors somewhat confusing, leading to the initial assumption that stands being advertised could be found near the monitor showing the advert.

I'm certainly going next year.

[Martin 100Participant @martin100]

Posted by Gary Wooding on 06/06/2016 09:34:24:

I went on the Saturday; there was no problem with parking, but the same cannot be said about the admission queue. It appeared to be a single queue that stretched along the side parallel to the road. It wasn't until you got into the plaza that you could see the sign for advance ticket holders, but that was after unnecessarily queuing for some time with people wanting to buy tickets. The sign had been obscured by the queue when I initially walked up looking for the advanced admission door, so I went back to join the end of the only apparent queue..

I did the exact same, fully expecting a sign outside the door with two queues. A minute or so after rejoining the queue around the corner someone came down the line asking if anyone had advance tickets, there were only about two or three that did and we walked straight in.

[Ian HewsonParticipant @ianhewson99641]

Hi, x2 for Mick regarding rucksacks, manners seem sadly missing at some of these shows.

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

I was jabbed just below my eye by the sharp end of a purchase sticking out of someones rucksack, not at Doncaster but another show, I have also been whacked by the quick turnaround but my 17 stone doesn't move far.

Mike

[Bernard WrightParticipant @bernardwright25932]

This was first ME Show I've ever attended as it being close to where I live, I took the wife for a nice slow jaunt around the hall, after availing ourselves of the well maintained facilities, we encountered no queue whatsoever.

It seemed very well laid out, with the models and demo's in front of you as you left the entrance gate, we ambled round taking care not to be assaulted by the rucksack brigade.

The models were very impressive, I particularly liked the Vincent engine models, we thoroughly enjoyed the model lorry enclosure, seeing model lorries doing what I used to do for living was invigorating.

We found the trade stands at the end of the model displays, had a good productive mosey round the various suppliers, Tracey being my favourite, I like to visit them at Torquay, but got a good deal on the day, all the major equipment stands seemed well populated, but I busied myself with the hand tools specialists mainly, and came away with a few bargains.

We declared half time about 14:30ish, and went across the road to Whitby's Fish restaurant, feeling well sustained went back in for another wander, JS was fairly clear of onlookers, so went over for an enlightening chat, those machines are impressive, far quicker to set up and do the job than my Clarkson.

So overall we were both impressed and really would like to attend another ME Show at Donny Racecourse.

Bernard.

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Went on the Sunday with a couple of friends; smaller than Harrogate I thought but a much better snack area leading out on to the balcony area where watched a couple of heliocopperchopters doing their stuff. Some very good models, mainly interested in Stuart type engines so had a word with their reps on the Stuart stand, mentioned that I had a fault with my S10V standard casting ( porosity ) although it was bought a couple of years ago along with a S10H & a progress, Andy ( Stuarts rep ) asked me to call him later with more info i.e. receipt if I still had it & he could trace it back & possibly come to some arrangement.I had the receipt in my files at home so copied to him with a couple of pics on the Tues. Lo & behold a replacement ( much better quality casting ) standard arrived on the Thursday free gratis… how's that for after sales service!.. Well done Stuarts.

Picked up a couple of tips from JB tools & a couple of extra length centres… #2 & 3 at Tracy tools, a couple of small vee blocks from Warco stand, was looking at the 6" height gauge with dual sided viewing… for lefties but thought it a bit pricey at the mo'… Hmmm, birthday coming up soon so maybe a combined family contribution may be on the cards? plus some other odds 'n' ends. An enjoyable day in all, so will consider going again next year. Spoke to one of the organisers on the way out & Harrogate is definitely out, cost too high, pity the organisers could consider somewhere further up t' north again… Sunderland / Newcastle maybe?

George.

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Sunderland / Newcastle ??!

How about a trip into the sunshine in DEVON !!!

N

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Posted by NJH on 07/06/2016 13:21:53:

Sunderland / Newcastle ??!

How about a trip into the sunshine in DEVON !!!

N

Sunshine… what's that… someone switches a big light bulb on very, very, occasionally, like today, can't figure out the wattage, can't see what's written on the bulb… … nice county Devon…

G

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