Despite
a fire on the 23rd July at the Collectible World Studios Woodhouse
Street site, the 6th Annual National Collectors Event went ahead
as planned on the 29th and 30th July at the Shugborough Estate,
Staffordshire. Pictured right – Shugborough
Hall, home of Lord Lichfield the Queen’s cousin
– click on image for detail.
A great deal of the preparation work and material for the show
was lost in the fire but the CWS team were still able to put
on a splendid event as a thankyou to all their collectors.
Saturday saw the largest crowds and quite a bit of rain, but
the Sunday saw some of best weather in Britain this Summer.
All
the leading designers were at the show including Real and Muff
Musgrave, who actually arrived late on the Saturday due to their
plane being delayed. Pictured left – Real
and Muff Musgrave signing – click
on image for detail.
The
queues for the signing lines of Real Musgrave (Pocket Dragons),
David Corbridge (Piggin’) and Raine (Just the Right Shoe) were
continuously long throughout the two days, and the bargain tent
was just incredible. Pictured right –
Piggin’ creator David Corbridge signing
– click on image for detail.
One
intrepid Pocket Dragon collector Cheryl (and World Collectors
Net regular) speant three hours queuing on the Saturday to have
a her pieces signed, and the Sunday also saw waits of over one
hour. Pictured left – Raine of Just the
Right Shoe fame signing – click
on image for detail.
Available on the day were all the touring specials and also
for the first time there were a number of Special Day pieces.
These were only available on the day and for a limited time
at designated branches of the various sponsor retailers whilst
stocks last. The Figurines of the Day include Piggin’ Fix It!
– (Piggin’); Your Prince is Here – (Pocket Dragons) ; Treads
(Just the Right Shoe); On this Special Day (The Latest Thing);
and Unity (J.H. Boone).
CWS Chairman Bill Dodd, speant the whole of Sunday helping collectors
spend their money. There were some incredible prices for lots
of excess, and end of line stock. Bargains picked up included
a Limited Edition Thomas Blackshear Ebony Visions piece for
just £10. Lots of other goodies going from £1 up. Pictured
right – Bill Dodd helping out at the bargain tent
– click on image for detail.
Although
the fire destroyed the CWS on-line department offices and server,
the event included the on-line department showing of the various
CWS web sites, however planned live broadcasts had to be cancelled.
Pictured left – Collectors looking at
the CWS web sites – click on image for detail.
Other
popular tents included the Paint and Cast Your Own, where we
met Luke from Walsall – the newest Pocket Dragon’s Collector
who started his collection of Pocket Dragons at he event. Pictured
right – Luke painting his Pocket Dragon
– click on image for detail.
Many visitors had made a weekend of it and nearly every hotel
in Stafford was fully booked.
These included Jackie from Kent who was busy painting her Just
the Right Shoe. She has 61 already and has been up for the whole
weekend visiting Soke as well. Pictured
left – Jackie painting her Just the Right Shoe
– click on image for detail.
CWS’s
other up and coming designers and lines were also represented
including the very talented David Meredith the main designer
for the ‘a Walk in the Country’ range. This is one collection
that is both original, interesting and very well executed. Pictured
right – David Meredith relaxing after a busy day
– click on image for detail.
Also
at hand promoting one of CWS’s newest lines was Alan Dickinson
the creator of ‘Of Gods and Men’. Pictured
left – Alan Dickinson signing – click on image for detail.
Other activities over the two days included prize draws, competitions,
falconry displays, a free inflatable assault course & bouncy
castle, and the Circus Sensible performing lots of fun acts.
A great setting and a well planned event was enjoyed by an estimated
12,000 collectors, all of the ones who we spoke thoroughly enjoyed
it.
Recent Posts
