Deerstalking Fair, 23/24 March 2013

[David T]

" The fair will continue to only have related products and where we can will include more stands offering that "

Excellent ! Some lateral thinking, still stalking related, and you appeal to a bigger audience. More money taken on the door, exhibitors take more, bigger shop window, more exposure, higher profile etc etc and the show grows. Why's that hard to understand ?

Don't know why some are getting so upset.......it's a forum, get a grip ! Maybe I should've left the wife and kids at home, you'd have lost revinue on the door, food and drink though. Would the organisers and exhibitors be happy with that ? Maybe some have issues at home and don't like doing things with the family though and that's their perogative. Don't expect others to behave as you do though.

 

[chrisc]

Well down and thanks to 2 top blokes brian and steve.

regards
chrisc

 

[Sikaman]

Hi just like to thank all the guys that made it through the very bad weather and supported the fair,as Brian said we did not get a lot of sleep the night be fore the fair but will to night.

thanks again for your support.

​stevie

 

[jamross65]

" The fair will continue to only have related products and where we can will include more stands offering that "

Excellent ! Some lateral thinking, still stalking related, and you appeal to a bigger audience. More money taken on the door, exhibitors take more, bigger shop window, more exposure, higher profile etc etc and the show grows. Why's that hard to understand ?

Don't know why some are getting so upset.......it's a forum, get a grip ! Maybe I should've left the wife and kids at home, you'd have lost revinue on the door, food and drink though. Would the organisers and exhibitors be happy with that ? Maybe some have issues at home and don't like doing things with the family though and that's their perogative. Don't expect others to behave as you do though.

David

I Thought there was a bit of lateral thinking to be honest in looking at all the aspects covered over the weekend? I mean instead of seeing white goods for sale like a couple of fairs I have been at, we got a big white mobile lardering unit and chill there. Which apparantly held an awful lot of interest and a lot of business was done around it. Even if I didn't ever have a use for it I was still interested in being shown round it and appreciating the concept.

I can understand what you are saying but my wife brought the kids down and she has no interest in stalking, but spent a day socialising...... And putting a couple of G&T's away!

Just for the record one thing we probably will address is the end product of our stalking, the venison. We have a few options ofor broadening the preparation and cooking front and several traders wanting to come to the next one who would undoubtedly add other features who will be there next year.

 

[Jelendeer]

Hi Brian,

Some great feedback regarding the show. Wish we could have been there, but when you know the dates for next years one please let me know. Jelen will definitely be there.

Regards,

Mike.
(Director - Jelen Deer Services)

 

[teyhan1]

David

I Thought there was a bit of lateral thinking to be honest in looking at all the aspects covered over the weekend? I mean instead of seeing white goods for sale like a couple of fairs I have been at, we got a big white mobile lardering unit and chill there. Which apparantly held an awful lot of interest and a lot of business was done around it. Even if I didn't ever have a use for it I was still interested in being shown round it and appreciating the concept.

I can understand what you are saying but my wife brought the kids down and she has no interest in stalking, but spent a day socialising...... And putting a couple of G&T's away!

Just for the record one thing we probably will address is the end product of our stalking, the venison. We have a few options ofor broadening the preparation and cooking front and several traders wanting to come to the next one who would undoubtedly add other features who will be there next year.

I wish I could have been there.
What about moving your venue down south next year. A bit like the CLA then next year back to Kelso etc etc ?????????? There's a lot o stalkers down here too

 

[finnbear270]

Another point to comment on I see.....

This was a fair dedicated to stalking, as promised. I am sorry, but the will never be a move to any add ons to accommodate non stalkers. My 10 and 12 year old spent the whole of Saturday there and didnt want to leave. the fair will continue to only have related products and where we can will include more stands offering that. There are a lot of good suggestions and ideas coming from conversations over the weekend, but what was great for us was that every single trader we spoke to has echoed the desire for the above. And every single trader told us by Saturday they would be back next year.

There is scope to expand into a couple of large marquees and join them onto the halls, but then we are dependant on reasonable weather.

If the feedback is this positive after its first year then hopefully what we have learned will allow for improvement for the next one...

I'm very confident that I will be heading back to Kelso, instead of the "Other" so called fairs, I was lucky enough to trade on my own for 12 years, & understand how hard it can be to get a new idea off the ground, you fella's have done a great job with a first round hit!.... the hard work is really over judging by the feedback posted,...just keep the Tat out & the rest will follow!

 

[Simjim33]

As a traders we would like to thank Brian and Stevie. For the hard work they put into the show. From our point of view the show looked busy,but not crowded. There was plenty of room for people to move around. The balence of what was there was spot on.

The only thing that sticks in my mind is the fact I am going to need a bigger workshop now!

A great event! Well supported!

 

[sako751sg]

Just been forwarded this email, hope the sender does not mind me posting it here as it seems to echo what 99% of others have said to us over the last 2 days.

Dear Steven and Brian, Seven of us travelled down to your/ our fair yesterday, we all thoroughly enjoyed it, meeting friends old and some new on the day, we all agreed you,ve got it right. I am a trade gun/ rifle smith and I met a few members of the trade whom I had only dealt with by telephone and it was great to put faces to the voices on the other end of a wire.
Entry and catering prices were more than reasonable and all your staff very helpful and it is a great venue.
Quite a few of us had a gathering before leaving for home and look forward to meeting up again next year but one of our group put a scare on us by saying that there was a suggestion that the other mainstream sports such as game shooting and fishing should also be represented, our opinion is that should not happen. We already have Scone, Moy and the Borders game fair as well as the C L A and sorry to be selfish but your event is the one we have been waiting years for so please don't do it, we have until now felt like the " *******" child always hidden in the background until now and we don't want to go back.
Thanks again from all of us(21 so I am told) for a really enjoyable day, you got it right.
Kindest regards,

Hopefully this echos the feelings of most folks that went,and can say its how we felt.Missus and wee fella went down too,and as said everyone knew it was catering to stalkers so cant see why anyone would have thought different and they enjoyed the day as much as any.Would be fine to see it expand,but again just with stuff of interest for the stalking fraternity as the bigger game fairs cover the wider audience.Great to catch up with people after chatting for a year or two and never meeting and also catching up with some old mates.All in,top weekend and a great job by the organisers.

 

[Monarch Country Products]

Many thanks to Brian & Steve and all the forum members who put faces to avatars

We sold out of many products such bone saws, Swingblaze knives, Roe Sacks etc - great thing is folk were happy to place orders and receive goods when the come back in stock later this week.

Great also to meet the SD forum team - without the help of Alex & Co our business could not have grown to it's current level.

We have already commited to next year - any other show this year will certainly fall short of the Kelso standard!

Best regards to all

Rob & Jess

 

[6pointer]

Brian the show was great no one can say differnt it was £5 to get in if it gose bigger then it will need to be more expencive the traders will need to compete even more for our business it will go down a bad road. Keep it real and it will stay good also don't listen to Teyhan this is a Scottish show and if England want one like it they can run there own as long as they give you and Steve cash for your idea.
I am sure the doubter like the BDS JELLEN and a few other will now try and get a space but make sure you offer the spaces back to the traders that took the risk this year. They were the ones that had faith in you. Was gutted the night vision stuff was not there but i hope it dose not put the lads off from coming next year.
Also i am sure if the weather had been good the places would have been fit to burst.

 

[8x57]

I wish I could have been there.
What about moving your venue down south next year. A bit like the CLA then next year back to Kelso etc etc ?????????? There's a lot o stalkers down here too

That was done 20 years back teyhan and it didn't work out. The first deer fair was held in Oxfordshire and then it moved to Shropshire. I don't know if the stalking world wasn't ready for it at the time or if it failed simply it because it wasn't distinguishable from any other the other "game" fairs trying to be all things to all men. I think these guys have probably come up with the right format and hope that this will be the first of many.
Perhaps the time is now right for someone to organise other deer fairs down south based on their formula.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Perhaps the time is now right for someone to organise other deer fairs down South based on their formula.

Spot on as a fair based smack in the middle of the UK is not the answer either.

K

 

[Moray Outfitting]

Rather than a fresh thread, thought as well put here.

Only real down for me is I can only comment as a trader - I was too busy to get chance to have a proper wander about! That's our fault on the staff side - that, and someone having to keep an eye on Colin of One Less Charlie

As 6P mentioned above ( we're agreeing again David! ) it was something of a leap of faith - as it turned out it was overall an excellent event. That was in no small part to the huge effort made by Brian, Steve and their team. It was a first , certainly for them and in many other ways. Much has been learned I'm sure, but the result was fantastic. It was, bar absolutely none, ( for a trader ) the most relaxed, well organised, friendly and open event we've ever attended. I hope that trader atmosphere can be sustained - because it made a very welcome difference. It worked and I'm hugely pleased for B & S; but even if things had gone awry, I know we and I suspect many of the other traders would still have been happy to put something into stalking by demonstrating that faith.

As usual, fairs end up so hectic that you never have chance to give people the full time they deserve, get round and just chat or say hello properly to friends old and new. So apologies here and now to David - we got close several times, but never got chance for that chat - and to the dozens who came by and often got a blank, confused or wrong track look; and occassionally all three at the same time! Particularly sorry I didnt get chance for a proper chat with the Monarch guys.

The burgers were fantastic.

The layout worked well and I really liked the effort that the organisers put into the setting out. Ok, we ended up next to a strange crowd - some grumpy tubby bloke obsessed with tea and selling car stickers, a 14 year old who just played on his Nintendo all day and seemed hell bent on setting up a webcam to capture the back of my head and a very nice lady who was just too free with cakes, biscuits and mainline sugar for anyone's good , but worked well. It was also good to be able to pull funny faces at poor old Paul Innes of Swaro on Gregors stand everytime he's trying to demonstrate spotting scopes. Best of all was watching Jon Snowden 'in action' - though time lapse photography would have been better .

I must single out in particular the very nice lady who said - ' Are you the guy off the Shooting Show'? Having been subject to, frankly, a barrage of 'Power Band' ( sorry Jayb, Powa Barnd ) heckling from that tubby old bloke; I was feeling emotionally fragile by this point. 'How did you know' I responded as I ruefully pat the ( greatly expanded by SD stand said sugary confections and the excellent burgers ) midrift. Her response made my year - ' I recognise your glasses' she said in beaming honesty! Madam, I thank you

As soon as I figure out where I packed the camera, I'll try to post some pictures. Though under the provisions of Section 15 (b) of the Official Secrets Act 1949 Schedule D, the night shots of Mike Norris in DPM jimjams and My Little Pony Slippers cannot be broadcast...

Brian, Steve - you brought together something different and very good. I hope you will try again next year and we would be happy to attend.

Just keep the burgers the same! - did I mention how good they were?

 

[bogtrotter]

I was not able to attend but from what I hear it was a great success, well done lads, sorry to read some were not
happy the raffle being one thing get a life, IMO the right thing was done draw it on the day if the winning ticket holder not present draw it again simple.

As for the comments about widening the interest, I personally would keep it purely stalking there are enough Game fairs through out the year for those with wider interests, some said there was nothing for the wives, a lot of our wives as stalkers wives have a certain amount of interest in what we do, and if they don't well you know the answer.

To be honest there are a lot more favourable comments than otherwise, looks like you guys have a winning formula wishing you every success with it in the future.


Would have liked to try and pry some of that whisky from Davie's mitts, but heard that not many had success with that, guys , guys, you should have known its practically impossible to separate a Scotsman from drink.

 

[teyhan1]

Brian the show was great no one can say differnt it was £5 to get in if it gose bigger then it will need to be more expencive the traders will need to compete even more for our business it will go down a bad road. Keep it real and it will stay good also don't listen to Teyhan this is a Scottish show and if England want one like it they can run there own as long as they give you and Steve cash for your idea.
I am sure the doubter like the BDS JELLEN and a few other will now try and get a space but make sure you offer the spaces back to the traders that took the risk this year. They were the ones that had faith in you. Was gutted the night vision stuff was not there but i hope it dose not put the lads off from coming next year.
Also i am sure if the weather had been good the places would have been fit to burst.

We all know that fairs can get samey and boring if held year after year. Seen 1x basc fair seen them all.
All I'm suggesting is that 1x year north (badlands) and 1x year south (sunny warmer climes)
Business is business and if Jamross has it right then brining it downsouth every other year makes good commercial sense and you can warm up too. Double bonus
Somewhere around Gloucester would be good. Good access for M5 (Southwest), London (M4) and well Norfolk/Cambs don't really count anyway

 

[nuttyspaniel]

Would have liked to try and pry some of that whisky from Davie's mitts, but heard that not many had success with that, guys , guys, you should have known its practically impossible to separate a Scotsman from drink.

Well sorry to correct you mate.. But I was offered twice before I accepted the 3rd offer then I had to stop to stop him before it over flowed.. You may well be getting 6p mixed up with jayb!!!


Nutty

 

[User00026]

I would like to send a thank you to the organisers on delivering a cracking Fair! Everything was perfect, and for a 1st time event I think it was an outcome you will be very proud of. I think the location in Kelso is ideal in both location and size, along with prospective outdoor venue potential if next year choses to deliver a Spring!

It was the first time Pietas Venatores and Fusion Stockworks attended a public venue, we had a significant amount of enquiries and positive feedback from attendants, SD members, and fellow trade members.

We particularly enjoyed fighting off the 'synthetic stock' revolution, but I think we ended up having some really good conversations with Ladies and Gents who truly appreciate wood, finishing, leatherware and customization.

I had a lot of enquiries about the Oak Bark Tan leather deer carrier with suede lining. I apologise for not having a sample on display, so to those still interested, please send me an email.
View attachment 26334

We will be there again next year, next to the lovely venison burgers stand of course, with a bigger selection of product lines, a full leatherware portfolio, and some more samples of our re-finishing.

I would also like to send a personal thank you to Callum Ferguson for taking almost an hour of time to help brainstorm our business development aspirations, you're a true gent

 

[Hunting Solutions]

I would like to send a thank you to the organisers on delivering a cracking Fair! Everything was perfect, and for a 1st time event I think it was an outcome you will be very proud of. I think the location in Kelso is ideal in both location and size, along with prospective outdoor venue potential if next year choses to deliver a Spring!

It was the first time Pietas Venatores and Fusion Stockworks attended a public venue, we had a significant amount of enquiries and positive feedback from attendants, SD members, and fellow trade members.

We particularly enjoyed fighting off the 'synthetic stock' revolution, but I think we ended up having some really good conversations with Ladies and Gents who truly appreciate wood, finishing, leatherware and customization.

I had a lot of enquiries about the Oak Bark Tan leather deer carrier with suede lining. I apologise for not having a sample on display, so to those still interested, please send me an email.
View attachment 26334

We will be there again next year, next to the lovely venison burgers stand of course, with a bigger selection of product lines, a full leatherware portfolio, and some more samples of our re-finishing.

I would also like to send a personal thank you to Callum Ferguson for taking almost an hour of time to help brainstorm our business development aspirations, you're a true gent

You may want to take out a trade membership buddy...

 

[User00026]

You may want to take out a trade membership buddy...

working on it............now sorted..