Brooklands Aerojumble Sunday 20th July

Much as I predicted, sadly!

Just me, one other selling mostly “hardware”, and a few book/model/memorabilia stalls. Fewer (even) than last year, but the autojumble stalls were much as I remembered them.

I hardly recognised anyone from the world of aerojumbling (maybe half a dozen at most), and what sold went mostly to people working on projects at Brooklands or other stall holders sensing a bargain.

I was mildly amused when the bloke on the tannoy announced a welcome to the “Third Brooklands Autojumble” – not even a mention of the Aerojumble!

Such a pity for them to have a fantastic infrastructure, capable of hosting a first class event, yet to barely promote it at all.

Coincidentally, exactly the same comment was made to me by a well known and respected restorer of vintage aeroplanes about a recent flying event they held at Brooklands – a host of exotic aeroplanes displaying to a crowd that looked to be about 300 strong.

My advice would be to ditch the free burger, croissant and hot drink for the stall holders and spend the money on actually advertising the event – I think we’d all be more appreciative.

Here’s to Popham on August 2nd & 3rd!

i only found out about it from you Alan…..and went with the girlie……not a bad event but as you say poor promotion….bought a lovely bit of trench art….a WW1 Eindecker made of a French Lebel round! £2!

The place is not as friendly as it used to be….

Any feedback from the “event” ??

You are quite right Air Min….I think the weekends when Shoreham & Popham back-to-backed it worked well for organisers, stallholders and punters.

Maybe, one day, somehow, we can do it again. Watch this space…..:)

Actually, I think the few years when we had Shoreham on saturday, then Popham on the sunday worked really well. Both from a buying and selling point of view.

But then, that’s speaking as someone who has travelled a long distance and will benefit from the saving in fuel by having two events combined in one weekend.

Another reason why I’ve appended Brooklands onto the Beltring week – two bites of the cherry (hopefully!).

War and Peace show is over by Sunday for sure, but Most of my money will be gone and I think many other forumites who I see every year may be in a similar state.

Not to mention the use of Brownie points for being away from home and work, persuading Mrs Junkcollector that the latest batch of scrap is really worth having in the house !

In the past any other event that runs the same week always has a detrimental effect on an aerojumble I remember over the years Mr T trying to launch other jumbles but always trying to avoid anything that clashed, which is why the old March and September dates always worked best, it is odd, but it is a fact, but I wish everyone well and hope I am wrong but somehow think I won’t be ! in particular if there is a huge lack of advertising.

Possibly the War and Peach Show at the Hop Farm. 16th – 20th July I think.

War and Peach (!) is all over by Sunday (as a buying/selling opportunity anway). All the good stuff’s already in the back of my car!

That’s why I’m doing Brooklands on the way home! 🙂

Surely no-one on this board would put the Farnborough International Air Show before the possibility of one (or maybe even more) aerojumble stalls at Brooklands? 😮

Possibly the War and Peach Show at the Hop Farm. 16th – 20th July I think.

Or is there somewhere else I ought to be next sunday, that I’m not aware of yet?! 😮

Yes, there is!:)

http://www.tannkosh.de/

Sorry if I’m being dim, but it’s next weekend we’re talking about here, so events this weekend at Duxford or elsewhere should not interfere with it.

Or is there somewhere else I ought to be next sunday, that I’m not aware of yet?! 😮

Indeed. Date selection seems to rank as highly with them as does event promotion!

Brooklands are so wealthy they do not need the money or the extra visitors.

Thats just as well because I dont think they are going to see much of either this weekend.

That was certainly one piece of advice I gave them, Mr Junk Collector 🙂
However, they knew best and, to boot, decided that you could also run an aerojumble with no advertising, it seems, and apparently just poor old AM’s stall!

Had they listened, engaged with me in the forward planning, advertising and promotion I am convinced I could have given them a quality event. In all probability a healthy profit of a few £K per year. I have to conclude that Brooklands are so wealthy they do not need the money or the extra visitors.

The date is a very poor selection, I think a lot of peoples money will be spent at another event this week 🙂

It is I am sure Mr Tangmere will agree, it is crucial to select a date that doesnt clash with anything else, air shows whatever or you are sat there twiddling your thumbs

No blame on you, Andy.

Absolutely! My gripe is seemingly with Brooklands then.

I did not wish my comments to appear to be having a ‘pop’ at you Andy. After all, you have probably done more for the aerojumble scene over the years than most others combined.

Regards

Michael

No blame on you, Andy.

I was approached at a major autojumble last year by a well spoken, besuited gent, complete with green wellies, who appeared to represent Brooklands in some capacity. He had spotted the sort of stuff on my stall and wanted to know had I heard of their aerojumble, and would I be interested in attending.

I explained that I had indeed been at that year’s event in July. He asked me what I thought of it, and I told him in no uncertain terms, that it is pointless holding such an event unless it is advertised widely in the key (no pun intended) magazines and promoted on the net.

He obviously wasn’t listening, or else he dismissed my advice, or failed to pass it on to the right person, or perhaps they just think they know better?

Whatever the reason, I think this year’s appearance will be my last at Brooklands. A pity, as we all seem to agree it had great potential.

Well, they appear to have failed to promote it again Alan! I knew nothing of this year’s event and I have made alternative arrangements for the 20th.

How sad, it could turn into a reasonable event if the publicity was there in so far as the aerojumble goes.

Cheers

Michael

I was asked to get involved with the first “aerojumble” event and willingly did so. It had a slow start…but had promise. The second one was slow (I was also involved on a business level) but this is the way of these events. That said, the second need not have been so slow as it was. Twenty five years aerojumble experience has told me that you need to perservere and maintain the momemtum of these events or they will fail. One good one with promise, followed by a second with not quite so much promise, needed a re-think and concerted effort to survive! Making number three “work” was imperative for its future life. I e mailed both of the organisers again late last year and early again this to see if they wished for my involvement again. Sadly, none of my e mails were replied to. I wrote them a letter. Nothing. I left two telephone messages. Nothing. So….if you are the only aerojumbler, please don’t blame me. And, if anyone from Brooklands gets to read this, they might have the courtesy to respond? Someone there really needs to get their act together. It COULD be a fantastic venue and a fantastic event. I was happy to help them work towards that, and the volunteer organisers at Brooklands of the first event were enthusiastic about my involvement and the way it all went. Doug and the redoubtable Mr Hall were great. So….what happened???! However, Brooklands, if you won’t advertise in the aviation press or even put it on the free listings in mags or internet sites then an aerojumble you will not have! Why the aversion to advertising the aerojumble side of things???? I don’t get it. It seems you only want an autojumble and you are missing out on a healthy chunk of revenue.

http://brooklandsjumble.com/
Last year’s event was “quiet” from an aerojumbler’s point of view, but then what do they expect if they fail to promote it properly?

Well, they appear to have failed to promote it again Alan! I knew nothing of this year’s event and I have made alternative arrangements for the 20th.

How sad, it could turn into a reasonable event if the publicity was there in so far as the aerojumble goes.

Cheers

Michael