Newark Show

[johnnyb]

please try the derbyshire show at elvaston Castle. it's been going 21 years apparently. it's a bit counin try crafts but very little selling of tools. it's very refreshing. I always enjoy.the national forest timber fair is a bit before in July. this can also be outstanding. and just to say I never really enjoyed these until I went with a really outgoing guy. he'd stop at every stand talking joking and laughing. it really transformed the experience.

 

[Padster]

@johnnyb if you have details use this thread:

Thread 'Woodworking & craft shows and events…'
Woodworking & craft shows and events…

be great to know details and shows we can go to.

Padster

 

[Nick.]

Every time I walked past you were talking with someone, and I wouldn’t like to interrupt a potential sale.

Hi @Roland, thanks and no worries, and that was considerate of you if I was already with someone, it was a busy show for me which was good.

Hi @Blister too - nice to see you again after all these years, and thanks for stopping by.
I sort of get where you are coming from with your comments, and that's feedback the organisers may well take on board to improve the show - possibly they do need more dedicated woodworking demonstrators who are actually making something and are able to take questions on technique etc.
From my side I had the drum sander & Bandsaw running / explaining how they worked etc - but ultimately yes that's to increase brand awareness and hopefully get sales of course. We all have a significant cost to attend and that really needs to be offset with sales, as I'm sure you are aware.

And of course @Peter Sefton - it was nice to meet and chat with you & you team back at the hotel every night.

Cheers all,
Nick

 

[Blister]

Hi @Roland, thanks and no worries, and that was considerate of you if I was already with someone, it was a busy show for me which was good.

Hi @Blister too - nice to see you again after all these years, and thanks for stopping by.
I sort of get where you are coming from with your comments, and that's feedback the organisers may well take on board to improve the show - possibly they do need more dedicated woodworking demonstrators who are actually making something and are able to take questions on technique etc.
From my side I had the drum sander & Bandsaw running / explaining how they worked etc - but ultimately yes that's to increase brand awareness and hopefully get sales of course. We all have a significant cost to attend and that really needs to be offset with sales, as I'm sure you are aware.

And of course @Peter Sefton - it was nice to meet and chat with you & you team back at the hotel every night.

Cheers all,
Nick

Hi Nick, Was good to meet you and for you to recognise me after what must be 12 = 15 years
Hope you did get some sales at the show, May bump into you again at some time , Keep safe.

 

[Woodwork Journey Dean]

I would have loved to attend. I used to religiously go to events in another industry and really enjoyed the fact that loads of people gathered for the same purpose. Always interesting stuff to see etc.

I believe Newark is the closest show we get in Norwich, arguably London as well I guess, so it’s a shame I couldn’t get there.

Hopefully next year though!

 

[Bristol_Rob]

Does anyone know what show discount was available on the day?

Or any new tools or products launched?

 

[Peter Sefton]

Thanks to all those who came to see us at the show, good to be back out there chatting to woodworkers and the other stand holders.

Cheers

Peter

 

[Peter Sefton]

Does anyone know what show discount was available on the day?

Or any new tools or products launched?

We had show specials deals over the weekend on a range of tools including Woodpeckers, Incra, JessEm, Narex, Armor Tool and our AUK routers. We added some of those on our website so show visitors didn't feel pressured to buy on the spot, they are also available to our online customers until midnight tonight.

https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/sale/?_bc_fsnf=1&brand[]=80&brand[]=87&sort=pricedesc
https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/narex/
https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/sale/
I was demonstrating pocket hole joinery and had a show offer on the Armor Tool Auto Jig, the £10 discount is not on the website but we will honour it if anyone in the UK is interested.

Armor Tool Auto-Jig Pocket Hole System

I was also highlighting new products from Milescraft, we will be bringing a much wider range of Milerscraft in the next couple of months.

https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/milescraft/
We will be returning to our own in house shows with the first one on Saturday June 10th, we are in the process of arranging the demonstrators and there will be offers on the day for those who can visit us in Worcestershire.

Cheers

Peter

 

[Richard_C]

I went on Friday, not been to one before, I thought it was good and worthwhile.

I didn't go with any buying intention and wasn't focussed on show discounts. (I did pick up a couple of 'bargain basement bucket' discontinued RP woodtuning tools but had I not bought anything it wouldn't have been a wasted trip). I don't think there was a standard 'show discount' but there were various offers on. I didn't watch any of the demonstrations end to end, some were pretty crowded, but you learn a lot by just standing and watching kit or materials being used. People were friendly - not just the demonstrators. Easy to fall into conversation as you share a table to eat your bacon bap or stand on the periphery of a demo.

I am a woodturner of recent vintage (the hobby, not me, I'm almost antique). It looked to me that the specialist bits of the show and the demo's were heavily biased towards turning, suits me but I can see that non-turners might be a bit disappointed: maybe it's expectation and branding- the "Midlands Woodturning and Woodworking show?" - or maybe that is the directiion the market is going now. More spending on turning than on saws and planes. There was plenty of other stuff to see if you looked.

To address some of the earlier comments. Yes, it is a 'selling show', but we bemoan the fact that so many local retailers have closed so you could think of it as a giant toolshop under one roof - nothing wrong with that. Where else can you see, inspect and ask real experts about things, so much better than relying on reviews on amazon or wherever. It's great opportunity to see a few brands under one roof if you are planning a big purchase.

Will I go again? Yes. Will I go regularly year after year? Probabaly not, depends what else is on.

(Peter Sefton - if you have direct contact with the organisers, one thing that would have been really handy would be a timetable for the set piece demonstrations. I can see why it can't be in the main brochure because its printed in advance but a few A4 sheets pinned up, or whiteboard near the entrance would have been good. Or was there one and I missed it?)

 

[Peter Sefton]

@Richard_C the shows do seem to have a bias towards turning, I think it's easier/quicker to produce something on a lathe start to finish when demonstrating.

I have suggested more woodworking demonstrations at the shows and will pass on your comments regarding a timetable. I did hear a couple of announcements early on regarding demo times but once the show gets going I must say I didn't hear anything or I just wasn't listening.

Cheers

Peter

 

[JimTaylor]

There was carving going on and pyrography, colouring, Margret was going lots with the minidrill creating textures and filigree work. You could interact with them and have a go with their tools. I watched a steam bending demo on the boat building college stand, so not just turning demo’s. Everyone was approachable and helpful, more than happy to answer questions. It is good to get your hands on the tools before you buy. After seeing it for real got off the fence and actually ordered my table saw.
I enjoyed the interaction with other like minded visitors. Could have done with a food/drink vender park by the entrance. Great weekend as far as I was concerned