Last weekend we had a stand at the RPRA "Show of the Year" at the Winter Gardens, in Blackpool.  This is only our second year at the Show and our pigeon products are a relatively new venture for us but we are really pleased with the way the products are being received by pigeon fanciers.  It goes without saying that we could never have got this far without the help we've received from our local pigeon 'guru' Mike Staddon.  Mike lives locally to us in Crewkerne, Somerset, and is a leading light in the racing pigeon world with several National and Classic wins to his credit.  His advice and help in trialling the products has been invaluable and we are indebted to him.  Mike worked with us on the stand in both 2009 and last weekend and his 'celebrity' status and his willingness to endorse the products is very important.  Additionally he is great fun to be with and is fully prepared to muck in with building and breadown of the stand.  Thanks Mike!!

Mike at Blackpool with one of his new pigeons - another potential winner!

 Unlike some other trade shows where exhibitors tend to be treated a little bit like second-class citizens, the "Show of the Year" was a pleasure to do.  Access for build-up is tricky as first of all you have to negotiate your way round Blackpool's one-way system, which we are convinced was designed over a few beers in the local pub!  Once you find the Winter Gardens you have to join a vehicle queue inside the building and then reverse up as close as possible to your stand.  However, unlike another major venue in the UK which will remain nameless, the security staff were unfailingly helpful and efficient.  Breakdown was similarly painless, although parking close by to the Winter Gardens is a pain if you have a van, so one of us had to walk back to the hotel to collect the van and park up outside - we sent Martin because he's so good at chatting up the traffic wardens!!

 Our Stand at Blackpool

All in all we had a good show, trade was down on last year but this was common to all exhibitors and it was generally felt that a combination of the show being a week earlier (ie closer to Christmas), the bad weather, and the recession, had impacted on visitor numbers.  Its a new market for Hilton Herbs so for now its a question of promoting the products and being seen at the shows rather than trying to rule the world straight away.

So, first show of the year over and we're starting to think about the next one already.  In the meantime the bosses go to the States to do a couple of trade shows there, as its a big and potentially lucrative market for Hilton Herbs, whilst we stay at home to mind the shop and plan for Crufts, our next major outing!

We did see some of the Blackpool sights!