April 27, 2008

• The TCF Show. Stoneleigh Park, Warickshire.

  Something a little different today as I took a trip up to Stoneleigh Park in Warickshire for the TCF show as I had won a ticket.
  Ist nice surprise was that not only was the parking free, but also undercover and with security on duty as well.
  
  On the way from the car park to the show hall there was a large Bivvy village set up allowing people to get a good look at those on show………..
  
  

  

   

  

  Strolling in I was handed a goody bag, that was well worth having, containing the latest issue of the TCF magazine, 2 DHP Angling DVDs (Derek Ritchie & Darren Cox) a few stickers, a pair of Match Box threaded accessory tubes, a packet of Sonu Baits 8mm Hook Pellets, Cotswold Baits pop-ups, a pack of Cypry ledger stops, Dinsmore shot, a couple of spools of line from Shakespeare and Ultima, along with a copy of FACT’s Code of Conduct for Coarse Anglers and Preston, Garbolino and Greys catalogues.
  
  The initial impression was of a totally Professional Show with plenty of space in a pair of light airy carpeted halls.
  With nothing for sale on the day there was a nice relaxed atmosphere with plenty of opportunity to have a really good look at the gear on display and have a chat the staff on the stalls. The shame was that some of the major companies weren’t in attendance such as Daiwa, Shimano, Fox, Maver, Nash, Solar, Korda, Drennan, etc, However it was their loss and hopefully they’ll reconsider should the show take place next year.
  
  Really nice to catch up with a few friends amongst the exhibitors.
  Ray Best (tackle tart) was manning the Braham & Murray stand alongside the lads from GOT Baits and with Trevor (tonup trev),Gary, Matt, Simon, Madd and others kept constantly busy demonstrating Atomic Cloud and the rest of their range.
  
  

  
  
  
  I took the opportunity to catch up with Dave Brittain (Top Dog) on the Shakespeare stand, taking a good look at the latest versions of the Mach3 reels, and very impressive they were too, and had a play with the new Superteam Poles, which yet again seem to offer great value for money.
  
  
  
  
  
  I also had the opportunity to pass on The Maggotdrowners thanks to Jim Burton, the owner of Match Box who after a bit of negotiation by Besty on our behalf (Thanks Ray ) is generously supplying a New S -class Seatbox and 50 of his Add Adapters as prizes for the Maggotdrowning.com Individual Champs 2008 that’s taking place on Moland Mere Lake at Packington Somers Fishery on Saturday 14th June 2008.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Despite the lack of some major brands it was good to see the likes of Garbolino, Trambucco, Preston Innovations, Grey’s, Masterline, MAP, Ultima and other popular and well respected brands supporting the show, and 3 discussion forums in action at various times catering for all aspects of coarse fishing.

  All in all it wasn’t as busy as I expected, but that could be down to it being the 1st one and a lack of Major exhibitors, however the vast majority of comments I heard were very positive.
  Congratulations to DHP for putting on a 1st class show, and all the Manufacturers and Companies that did attend, hopefully they will reap the rewards that they deserve to for supporting this new venture. I must say that it’s what I expect of a show, an opportunity for companies to showcase their latest gear to anglers, and not a glorified car boot sale, long may it continue.

  

  

   

  • 2:23 pm
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