Retrotech - 8th May 2022

[ppppenguin]

Retrotech (formerly NVCF) isn't much more than a month away. https://www.retrotechuk.com/

There will be many bargains to be had, not least on the bring and buy stall. You can sell stuff here in two different ways:

1: Donations. We get as much as we can for the item and every penny goes to the Vintage Wireless Museum. No labelling or listing needed.
2: Commission sale: You tell us a price (and a reserve if you wish). 10% goes to the Vintage Wireless Museum, you get the rest.

Thanks to your generosity we have raised thousands of pounds for the Vintage Wireless Museum over the years.

Look forward to seeing you all there.

The attached file is a list of items that I am selling on commission this year. 10% to the Vintage Wireless Museum, most of the rest will go to the BECG: www.becg.tv If you're interested in anything please let me know and we can arrange something. I can give an idea of condition and photos if needed. There's some wiggle room on many of the prices but I'm not saying how much

[PerdioPal]

My secret weapon for all things like this is to come on my motorcycle, I can't buy too much! A couple of cubic feet is the limit.

[pamphonica]

The second RetrotechUK show (previously NVCF) is being held at the Warwickshire Event Centre on the Fosse Way, just outside Royal Leamington Spa on Sunday May 8th.

Retrotech (and NVCF before it) is run specifically to raise money for major projects at the Dulwich Wireless and TV Museum. These shows take a lot of time and money to organise, so please support Retrotech and ensure that we can keep it going for everyone in future years.

This is a reminder that it's just over two weeks away!

A huge range of stalls (about 190 last time), all indoors, huge free car park, full range of refreshments available all day.

See https://www.retrotechuk.com/ for location/times/prices/info, etc.

Here's a short video we did before last year's event as a taster; turn up your speakers and enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-HDN2wg7KY

If you haven't been before, there is a mind-boggling range of vintage technology on sale. Radios, TVs, Audio, Telephones, Vinyl, Record Players, Testgear, Retro computing, Parts, Valves, Cables, Collectables you name it!

There will be lots of room and ventillation inside the hall, to give good space for safe browsing. Entrance prices remain the same, with two-tier entry - Early entry at 9:00 (£25) and Normal entry at 10:30 (£10).

This year the BVWS committee is mounting a special Exhibition of equipment and artefacts to commemorate 100 years of Public Service Broadcasting. There will be some rarely-seen items, so do check that out. There will also be special exhibits from a number of other vintage technology organisations.

This show is open to everyone, not just BVWS members, so do come along and join in. Everybody is very welcome - bring your friends and family - see you there!

-Jeremy

[ppppenguin]

A quick note to say that I am no longer involved with the Bring and Buy stall. I have been running it for quite a few years and it's time for a change. I'd like to thank all those who have assisted with the Bring and Buy over the years.

Ruth and I will be there, with our own stall, raising funds for the BECG:  www.becg.tv

Not yet sure where my stall will be. Please come and say hello. I've attached a revised (but still incomplete) list of items I will have for sale. Please let me know if you'd like to reserve anything. Haggling is encouraged:-)

[pamphonica]

The Bring & Buy will operate as usual. Multiple item entry forms are attached below.

From this year, the stall will be run directly by the committee from the Dulwich Wireless Museum (BVWM.org.uk), for whom it raises much needed funds. But I and other familiar helpers will also be there helping as usual!

If you've got stuff for the B&B and are queuing for general admission please try to make contact with us and we'll do our best to get your stuff logged and straight on to the stall.

There are 2 ways to sell stuff on the B&B.

1: Donation - with 100% going to the Vintage Wireless Museum. This is easy for us because there's no admin for labels, lists etc.

2: Sales with 10% commission to the Museum. If you have more than 3 or 4 items it helps us a lot if you can complete a numbered list with prices before you arrive, using the form attached below. Add in any lower price you can accept in the Offers column. We try to sell at the best price we can! Remember to stick corresponding numbered price labels on each item. Leave space before the number so we can add a unique serial letter to each label. We can do labeling/listing on the day but it really slows things down for everyone at busy times.

The B&B closes at 4pm just like the rest of NVCF. If you've sold anything you can collect the proceeds at any time. Unsold items need to be collected before 4pm. We don't have facilities to dispose of unsold items.

Here's the suggested listing sheet if you have more than a few items.

See you all there - not long now...

Jeremy

[ppppenguin]

I now know that my BECG stall will be near the B&B, almost facing the main public entrance. A few more items added to my list. The Celestion speakers (J8) are already spoken for.

Look forward to seeing new friends and old on Sunday.

Please note that there will be road closures in the area: https://www.warwickshireeventcentre.co.u...l-2022.pdf
Any satnav that's regularly updated (such as if you're using  a phone) will easily work its way around the closure. Otherwise it might be worth making some notes. The actual closure is on the Fosse way, a little north of the roundabout by the venue. If you're staying at the Rugby Dunchurch Travelodge (as I am) this will certainly mean a diversion.
https://www.warwickshireeventcentre.co.u...l-2022.pdf

[Murphyv310]

Hi.
Again a bit of a gripe. With the increased costs of fuel and hotel price increases this venue is too far south for those in the North or in Scotland. There are people up in Aberdeen, Moray and even like myself in the central belt that would like a crack at the whip.
When I was a member of the BVWS I did mention that there seems to be a North South devide which is rather unfair and that was my reason for cancelling my membership. I'm not asking that it should be moved to Glasgow but perhaps every three years or so an alternative venue further north should be considered, its extremely unfair that us up north should have to travel hundreds of miles every year and those down south get off lightly. Perhaps consider a change please.

[ppppenguin]

Not being on the BVWS committee I have no real influence on the location of meetings. The north/south divide is an age old problem, not just limited to the BVWS.

I don't know where the weighted centre of Retrotech visitors might lie. What's certain is that the UK is bottom heavy, with London and the home counties having something approaching a quarter of the entire population. Hence a lot of us will be travelling to the midlands from the south. I don't know what fraction of the population is within reasonable day-trip range. London, E&W Midlands towns, Leeds, Manchester for certain. Quite likely more than half the population. Fuel is expensive, so is accommodation for those who are travelling further. Car sharing helps but ultimately it's unlikely that a big meeting in Newcastle or Glasgow is going to attract the numbers needed to make it viable.

If you live in Falmouth, Falkirk or Fakenham it's a long way.

[Murphyv310]

Funny enough there are a goodly few collectors around Aberdeen, Moray and Inverness, at least three here in Kilmarnock that I know about, Two or three in Ayr and at least around 20 in the central belt. Not huge numbers but a significant amount. Yes Falmouth is a run but nothing like Inverness, Aberdeen etc. The other issue is north of Perth or Dundee there is no motorway network so the drive is tedious to say the least.
Like I say perhaps a more northerly venue once every 3 years or so would attract Scottish and northern England participants and more BVWS members.

[Kalee20]

I can see the reasons for Trevor's post.

But from the organiser's point of view, people tend to organise things at places which work well for them, and unless they move location, what works well for them one year will be the same the next, and the next... And they know the ropes and the myriad of things that need to be in place. So, unless there's a complete change of personnel, it's self-perpetuating!