Well it’s been 12 months in the planning and the weekend flew by in a blur (although my feet and calf’s are still aching) It has been a testing year with Bretby closing it’s doors in January forcing us to find another venue and completely rearrange the show.
Friday started with the tradition of lunch at the Devonshire. However, on arrival we were informed that no longer serve food. So off to the Alfred for one the finest sausage sandwiches ever tasted! Washed down with a pint of Burton Bridge Brewery finest it was off to start setting up. The 3rd team member informed us by text that he was being held hostage in the Extreme Etchings workshop and wouldn’t be freed until he had finished packing Brian’s latest offerings so it was down to Pete and myself to get the rear halls organised.
Saturday. The main hall had been in use to host the local rugby club dinner dance until 3am. The Town Hall staff did a great job in clearing and cleaning the hall ready for set up at 6am. Set up passed off without incident and the time came to open the doors to the public. I have had a reoccurring thought for the past 2 weeks that no-one would turn up for the show. However, when I went out to start selling showguides at 9.45 and saw the queue stretching out along the front of the building and round the corner, I realised that we were in for a busy weekend! The show was running smoothly until late morning when the fire alarms went off. The halls were cleared within a minute and the fire brigade had arrived before I got to the front of the building. a quick inspection revealed that detectors in the roof of the main hall had been triggered by the helium balloons from the rugby club the night before. Panic over and everyone safely back in the rest of the day ran like clockwork. Saturday night for me was the main event of the weekend. The DEFine Showcase supper! Full credit to Phil Eames for finding such a good pub restaurant that would even see Mike Whitchurch complimenting on how good the food was. Sadly the evening was over too quickly.
Sunday. Thankfully no 6am start like Saturday but we were still at the hall by 8am. Early sunday morning before opening is one of my favourite times at Showcase when the halls are quiet and you can wander round without having to sort out any problems and just enjoy what I have spent the last year organising. The rest of the day passed without incident and before long all the layouts and traders were packing up and heading home.
There is a moment every year when the last exhibitor has left and the halls are empty. We walk through the halls to make sure nothing has been left behind and wonder where the weekend has gone. This year was our last as organisers and brought mixed feelings of sadness but relief at the same time. Organising an exhibition consumes a great deal of time which means I haven’t had much chance to do any modelling. Once the handover to the incoming team has been completed then it will be full steam ahead with GQS.
As always there people I would like to thank. Pete and Mike for their help and support over the last 12 months. Laura and Victoria for manning the exhibitors rest rooms. Carrie and Sylvia for spending 2 days manning the door, Phil Eames for arranging a great Saturday night and stewarding team (you all know who you are)
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