AFC Wimbledon Fair

[pafcprogs]

I just wanted to give my impressions of the Wimbledon Fair on Sunday

First of all, great credit as ever to Gordon & Terry for their efforts in establishing and then developing these venues. I think this was my fourth time standing ( despite the provision of a comfy seat) at Kingsmeadow and the fair seems to get busier each time.

As an itinerant attendee as a seller I always find it a challenge to decide what to stuff into the car. I envy those with proper organised containers which stack neatly, and although I have a few now after my wife brought some in for our daughters move at Uni I am still over reliant on fragile document boxes. Of course one decided to collapse by one side handle as I packed away. Luckily nothing hit the puddle by the car and as it was being packed into the car the value was probably negligible in any case.

Obviously as I don't do many other fairs it is hard to compare so I have to base my observations on the comments made by others, but this does seem to be a fair where the Wimbledon collectors turn out in force rather than a more generic crowd....so well done the person who sorted out his meagre interesting Wimbledon programmes and then promptly left them where he put them....so I will be back next year it seems ...

For me as well the event is as much social as anything...it was good to see Peter Hurn again and to meet Baltimore and FACup1939 ( both of whose names I have promptly forgotten. I am also happy to confirm to FACUP1939 that my mobile was found on the floor at home by my good lady and so my fears I had lost it were unfounded. But thank you for the call to check and I now have a number I can harrass you on if I come across Pompey bits. I also hope the Evening News you acquired wasn't a duplicate!

As to the trade, well I am as ever grateful for the support of fellow dealers Barry ( Dixey) Martin (Lane) and Tom (Roe) who always descend and have a good root through. For me I enjoy the bartering aspect, and as I have so much accumulated stuff I am always happy when bulk (or bulky) things are found new homes, however temporary. Not always at a profit but when a bag of advertising bumph you didn't even realise you had loaded sells early doors and send you into positive cash flow (and you had forgotten you even owned said bag), it is hard to complain!

I will of course be harangued by Tom if I still have the A & BC cards he tried to prise from my ownership for a pittance next year so expect a concerted effort to move those on later this week Or send me your wants list....

From my perspective its always good to see stuff move from someone who simply owns it to someone else that actually wants it....so I am as happy with a handful of West Ham homes sold as I am with the Rothmans that a Wimbledon fan bought because it covered their great seventies cup run.

So what with a couple of chunky sales (one to Baltimore) it was a financial success for me, although my wife is still gutted that I bring anything home....

The biggest challenge is always solving the jigsaw puzzle that is repacking the car. The nice thing about this fair is it is relatively close to my home.....I therefore remind Gordon of my request that he tries to rekindle interest in a Crystal Palace or environs event...maybe Croydon? I'd be happy to try and help. But once it all gets back and is restacked in the garage I now have to try and find the boxes again. In the short term I do think it at least allows some things to resurface that otherwise might have been hidden.

Suffice to say it is a social event as much as anything for me and I am sure in no way rewards Gordon and Terry sufficiently for their efforts but I remain grateful for the fact they do so.

You also have my enduring thanks for the fact I had the stand nearest the door which at least sped the loading and unloading.

I did make a half hearted commitment to try and actually get down to the Pompey Fair next year...and am debating Bristol.....although we may be heading for some Winter sun that week

And if nothing else after the fantastic Rugby( for England at least) and the disaster that was the A38 Expressway derby it was a good way to end the weekend.

Peter
_________________
Currently disposing of my collection so please email any wants lists to [email protected].
Most Plymouth post 1959 but plenty of others including reserves, friendlies, Cup Finals Internationals and Club issues, handbooks and other sports.

[Baltimore]

First time attender at the AFC Wimbledon Fair.

A great event ( for the attendee) , vendors will no doubt have their own views.

Great to meet up with petespicturepalace, and pafcprogs for the first time in person after communicating with them on the forum for many years.

Good to talk with Tom Roe who had some great stuff, and even better banter.

The AFC Wimbledon / Chelsea ladies, ground is worth always worth a visit.

Well done to all concerned,


Ian

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Yes, I too enjoyed catching up with messrs Baltimore, pafcpete, Kenners, Mono, David McKnight of the Dons and all the others including Tom Roe who had a nice folder of press photos. Some people work so hard at this, don't they? Good on them!

Well done and thank you to the organisers and I wish AFC Dons every success with their move back to Plough Lane and a new museum there too.

[facup1939]

Good to meet pafc Peter. Glad to hear your phone was safely at home.

Very pleased with my Portsmouth Football Mail purchase, no, it was not a duplicate!

A very well organised fair. I hope that the dealers were happy with attendance and takings.

Good also to chat to CFC Martin, and to Les the Badgeman (who I see at most Kingstonian home midweek games).

Paul