...it's nearly that time of year again..... War & Peace Show 2010 - The Largest Military Vehicle Spectacular in the World - Home So, who's going ?
John your priorities are all wrong ! I managed to 'book' Beltring before arranging our hols, so as usual, it's the Saturday for me..... But with the exchange rate in such poor shape, I doubt that there will be any sensational 'bargains' this year.....
Harumph. After 7 or 8 years continuous camping there I just can't afford it this year. Seems my little pack of nerds/alkies have all decided to give it a miss this year too, a touch of ennui on top of financial reasons. Hopefully we'll be back in 2011 properly remotivated. Not happy about it... but resigned. ~A
Takes an entire day to do the shops properly Subs, more if you're looking for specifics. You can get offered excellent prices on the last day (Soviet Maxim I fancied on a Tuesday for £350 - bloke was shouting "£150 mate, I don't want to take it home" on Sunday). BUT! A lot of the stalls have sold a LOT of stuff by the weekend compared to their weekday stock. All the deadly serious collectors looking for specifics seem to have cleared out by Friday. Not that there isn't still a ton of interesting bits at the weekend, merely that much of the shinier stuff has gone. If you have to do a daytrip on a weekend, I'd do the saturday. Despite them doing their best to prevent it, things tend to wind down on the Sunday and you likely won't see so many vehicles as they're gradually bugging out.
wish it was a little bit closer to me, never been yet.....maybe next year though. Martin if you do go....take some photos of the anzer:
As von Poop says, the first full weekday of the event is best for the unusual/sought-after items. But in my experience, Saturday is best for any bargains - deals can be struck, especially with some of the overseas dealers who don't want to 'take it all back home again'..... Not expecting any great stuff this year, though..... ( And the days of £10 Panzerfaust tubes are 'way past...... )
I've used this tactic a few times at militaria fairs. It doesn't always work as some dealers can be quite stubborn. But, I have walked away a number of times in the knowledge that i've saved myself a few quid. We should organise a Beltring 2011 meet up for next year. Martin could lead us all to the bargains and Adam could share his fountain of knowledge on tanks.
I'll be there for a Family Sunday Funday - me, Mrs Me, Slug, One of the girls and one of her chums and Stinky the grandson... Stinks is only six but it's a matter of everyone keeping up with him. For the first time in years not really looking to buy anything though...
Me neither, funnily enough - and it's not just down to the recession. Mind you, I said that last year.....and came back with a German field telephone which I hadn't realised I 'needed'
He really was though, wasn't he. John, I'm not sure you'd want to meet me at Beltring - by the weekend I'm a shambling rambling barely coherent mud/dust-caked shell of a creature; damaged by alcohol, sleeplessness, & diesel fumes. ... so not that much different from normal really.
Right up my street then! I like the alchohol part and the sleeplessness I could handle. As for the fumes, a damp handkerchief held over the mouth usually filters them out.