This was the first
trade show I ever did – about four or five years ago. The first time I dared to display my product to the scrutiny of shops and galleries. And for a relatively new designer maker it is a good place to chance your arm. Many of the attendees have small shops and galleries and they are nice, chatty unpretentious people. None of the big department stores here – snappily dressed and hunting in packs! The other reason for trying Harrogate is that I have an uncle there who is happy to put me up for the duration of the show!
So now many years down the line and with my hardened “I can do this standing on my head” attitude, I go to Harrogate again! I’ll make a bit of money, though not a lot! But more importantly I’ll have a good time! I’ll see my uncle – whose company I enjoy very much. I’ll be with my neighbours of many years –
Cathy Newell Price and
Richard Shaw. This is the only time we really spend together in the year – though I do occasionally bump into Cathy at other shows. They are lovely laid back people and it is a joy to spend a few days with them each year. And there will be other new people nearby, and old friends who stroll past, and daffodils on The Stray (as Harrogate’s famous patch of common land is called).
Then on the Monday evening I’ll go to
Ceroc Harrogate. I have a passion for dancing and twice a week I dance modern jive at ceroc London (in Great Portland St and Fulham respectively). So when I’m out in the sticks I go and strut my stuff there. The great thing about Ceroc is that you can go to any venue and have a great time. Here the numbers are smaller and you pretty much dance with everyone - but dancing is always fun! And there is one guy I’ve bumped into for the last three years and hopefully he’ll be there again and we’ll have some great dances then I’ll do my Cinderella routine and disappear for another year.
So here’s to Harrogate, may I have as much fun as always!
