BVWS Biggleswade Meet and Auction - Sunday Sept 24th 2023

[Pamphonica]

This autumn's BVWS Biggleswade Meet & Auction will run on September 24th this year (2023). It's a fine new venue and feedback has been very positive so far.

There will be an auction, and Mike Barker will publish details nearer the date. I'll be at RWB this weekend (July 2nd) if you have any questions.

Details appeared in the Summer BVWS Bulletin, and are also available via the events pages on the BVWS website: www.bvws.org.uk.

If you want to book tables, the booking form is downloadable from: https://www.bvws.org.uk/download/Big...er_2023_v2.pdf

If you want a specific table location then please book with details as early as possible, and I will do what I can. I normally put repeat bookings in the same place if I can, unless you request otherwise. (The last Biggleswade was a sell-out so please book early to avoid disappointment!).

The Weatherley Centre (SG18 8JH) has off-street parking right by the hall, and and free on-street parking very close by. It is located only a mile from either of the two Biggleswade exit roundabouts on the A1. Train services are excellent (under an hour from London), and the station is a 12 minute walk from the hall.

I hope to see lots of you at the Meet in September.

all the best

-Jeremy

[Pamphonica]

Bookings are starting to come in now, so do book early if you can, to avoid disapppointment. We don't have online booking yet, but I have decided to offer email bookings this time, as an experiment. You just email me exactly the same details as on the form, and pay by bank transfer to BVWS instead of cheque. My email address is in the front of the Bulletin. I will advise bank details by email.
Roll on September!
-Jeremy

[Pamphonica]

Only a couple of weeks to go now, final arrangements are now being made. Only a few free tables left if you want to sell, even though we have managed to cram in 3 more than last September. So it will be a busy and well-stocked event. The hot food is confirmed, the auction is in preparation, and helpers are on standby!

If you are coming, please use the postcode on the first post in this thread (SG18 8JH). There will be signs on the road as you approach the Centre. If you cannot find a space in the Centre car-park, please park on the road. We were told that school parking areas would be available, but the school and centre appear to be at loggerheads currently over sharing parking. You can always drive back in at the end to collect your purchases!

All welcome, although only BVWS members can bid in the auction. You can join on the day if you want. And BVWS members will get a free hot drink voucher! (please show your membership card on entry).

Looking forward to a great day out bargain hunting and socialising on the 24th. See you there.

Post here or send me a PM if you have any questions.

-Jeremy

[Stuart R]

I'm looking forward to helping-out on the day, I'll probably be asking to see those Sellers' wristbands as you're struggling into the building with arm-fulls of equipment(!).

Last time round, a few people asked for directions to the nearest local shop but not knowing the area that well, I couldn't help. I've now taken a little tour around the town and am hoping to have a few sketch maps available on the day to help with local navigation.

The nearest shop is the Saxon Centre Co-Op, an 8 minute walk away over the playing fields. There's a Cash Machine there too.

Walking in the other direction and crossing the London Road, there's the independent Mead End Stores, that's a 12 minute walk away. It also promises a Cash Machine, but I suspect it will charge for withdrawals.

The Town Centre is nice, with a few small chain stores and cafes (including Vegan), that's a 17 minute walk away. There is an ASDA supermarket with 1.5 hour (ANPR patrolled) Parking and Cash Machines. There are also Cash Machines at Boots, Lloyds, Halifax and Nationwide.

The Railway Station is a 5 minute walk from the Town Centre.

The Railway Station is on the East Coast Main Line, so good connections North and South. It's a 20 minute walk to the Weatherley Centre from the station, via a footpath.

There are some Taxi Operators advertised in Biggleswade; Ace Cars 01767 834041, Biggleswade Airport Taxis 01767 400118 and Village Taxis 01767 600 300.

Village Taxis had a few cars waiting at the Station (Bank Holiday Monday) and there is a Call Button for their office on the outside of the Station building. The drivers on duty were not keen to offer quotations and suggested anything between £12-£17 - a later phone call to the office resulted in a quote for £10 and I did check that was correct for a time-and-a-half Sunday. Maybe it's worth wearing a Forum or BVWS name badge to see if you can share a taxi with a fellow member?

Worth noting that asking for a taxi to 'The Weatherley Centre' didn't seem to ring any bells with the driver or office, a postcode seemed to get better results!

(You should be able to better my walking times, I was pushing a bike at the time, averaging 2-3 mph - all information here is offered in good faith)

If partners need something else to do whilst you're enjoying the Meet, a mile to the North is the Preen Re-Use Centre, which is worth a rummage. Second-hand furniture, domestic appliances, books, records, sheet music etc etc, This can be found a mile away in Sun Street - SG18 0PB

A mile to the South, close to the A1 Junction is a large-ish retail park; Boots, M&S, Next, Matalan, Mountain Warehouse, Cotswold Outdoor, TK Maxx, H&M, River Island, Superdrug, Hobbycraft, JD Sports, Robert Goddard, Hobbycraft and a Homebase. McDonalds, Lidl and Halfords are across the main road. (I haven't reccie'd this personally this time round so hope all the shops promised are still there).

[dodgy-dxer]

Great research Stuart

I'm way out of touch with Biggleswade now apart from visiting my Mother who is in care there

When I went to Stratton School we were more concerned about the nearest pubs!

Fred

[Stuart R]

I got some felt-tipped pens and came up with this. Purple dots show the footpaths that may save some time in getting from the Railway Station to the Weatherley Centre and a quick route to the Co-Op if you need more Cash!

Once up on the railway station overbridge, head East to find the footpath. Turn Right and it's the second left turn that gives the most direct route, look up at the adjacent lamp-post, it should be numbered 16F.

Although Orchard Close looks really tempting as an approach road for cars, there is a gate at the South end, preventing you driving into the Wetherley Centre Car Park. It was shut last time, so assume it will be again. There is a pedestrian gate though.

See you on Sunday.

SR

[Paul Stenning]

It would be good to add that to the BVWS website. Not enough time for this Sunday but it would be good if we can compile your notes and map for to add in due course.

[Paul Stenning]

Auction catalogue attached. Info from Mike:

The BVWS Biggleswade Auction catalogue at 195 lots appears to be smaller than usual.

This is because we will be collecting an undetermined number of items from two different locations on the previous day.

We are also unable to have the items positively identified by the owners, one of which has not seen most of the items since the mid 1990’s.

These will make up the remaining lots in the auction and bring up the number of items offered on the day.

Mike Barker.

[Dickie]

People travelling from the south on the A1(M) should be aware of roadworks:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englan...herts-66894547

hopefully will all be over by Sunday, but there is still a problem at the moment (saturday lunchtime) according to Waze. Worth checking before you travel!

[HamishBoxer]

Great day at Biggleswade today , again. Resisted all the temptations!

[Ian Blackbourn]

Indeed, a good day. I managed to sell a few things, but couldn't resist making a bid for the Cossor 396 near the end of the auction. But it was only £10, and still has its PX4 - not expensive!
Thanks to all who worked so hard to make it all run so well, especially Jeremy for organising it and Mike Barker and all the porters for the auction - amazing stamina!

Ian Blackbourn

[chriswood1900]

A great day out, thankyou to Jeremy the BVWS committee and Mike and team for the Auction, it was well attended and everyone I spoke to were enjoying the day.
Looking forward to many more events.

[high_vacuum_house]

Good morning,
A good day out, I certainly enjoyed it and came home lighter than I went for a change!!

Many thanks for all those who organised and helped run it.

The auction had many bargains, I got a really nice looking Ekco VHF only radio with an excellent cabinet for £5. I also got a Kenwood 4 channel oscilloscope for £15, currently being worked on now. (Duff transistor found in the X deflection pre-amp)

The auction was very good as always even with the peculiar random gain issue with Mikes PA amplifier!

I look forward to the next one.
Many thanks,
Christopher Capener

[greenstar]

Yes, a very good day, especially delighted with a beautiful gramophone I won at an amazing price. And a VHF radio for my kitchen. As ever the auction was full of surprises. Stalls good too. And not an expensive day.
Thanks to all, especially Mike and helpers.
Tony

[Paul Stenning]

The auction results are now on the BVWS website here: https://www.bvws.org.uk/auctions/res...24-biggleswade