A blistering weekend of sunshine blessed the crowds at the annual Carp in the
Park show at Billing Aquadrome in Northamptonshire, and I was lucky enough to
enjoy the whole weekend working on the RAD Angling stand! I mean lucky too, it’s
always a privilege to be asked to help showcase such top quality carbon
bankware, and as part of a fine team of consultants, we always look forward to
getting together to discuss all things fishing whilst checking out the latest
production prototypes and launching new kit into the market. It’s always fun,
(if tiring) and this show is unusual because everyone bivvies up, enjoys a few
beers and a barbeque together, whilst listening to some live music! How can it
not be enjoyable?
I drove down on Saturday morning, bright and early, to find the stand (a purpose
built trailer) ready to go, the kettle on, and the bacon grilling, as the team
started to get ready for the forthcoming day. The RAD trailer is the envy of
many within the ‘paddock’ and allows us to get set up within minutes, and pack
away even faster, whilst others struggle with building gazebo type stands which
are in no way as sturdy as the trailer. Once opened, our carbon fibre products
can be set up on the front stage, the television set to loop the promotional
video, and that’s about it; simple, visually effective, and easy to use. Even
before the gates officially opened, we had visitors from other companies as they
came to check out what was on offer before the rush, and also to cast a shady
eye over our trailer; I don’t think it will be long before similar others start
to appear!
By 10am, the sun was already high in the sky, and as the gates opened, the
paying public started the quick first loop of the assembled trade stands before
deciding where to spend their hard-earned cash. It’s something that you get used
to at the shows, the initial rush, a quieter period, then mid-morning, the
action starts to hot up as decisions are made and customers return to the
trailer. I love it! The products are so good, that no ‘hard sell’ is required,
but it’s always good fun bantering with customers as each option is explained
before cash changes hands and the buyer departs happy with their purchase.
Throughout the day, a number of talks and demonstrations took place on the
‘stage’ with big name anglers spilling the beans to show their secrets, edges
and tips, and a bankside cookery showcase saw volunteers learn new skills under
the tutelage of top chef Simon Bishop who then presented them with a bag full of
goodies too! There was huge a beer tent, casting instruction, rig and bait
demos, and all sorts of other things which kept the crowds entertained. The
first day went well, lots of carbon fibre bankware went home with happy
customers, and when it was time to shut down for the day, we simply dropped the
trailer door; brilliant! I didn’t realise how tiring it had been though. Fully
intent on bivvying up, I didn’t bother, instead unfolding my bed in the shadow
of the trailer, unfurling my duvet, and that’s the last I remember until the
boss woke me an hour later with a bottle of beer in hand!
The evening was spent listening to the live band, sharing a few cold beers, and
eating platefuls of steak, sausages, chicken and burgers as the sun went
down…perfect! I slipped back under the duvet and awoke 8 hours later as the sun
rose over the trees, my Minions duvet cover adorned with a thin sheen of early
morning dew, before going for a freezing cold shower ready to start day two.
Sunday followed in much the same way as the previous day, a plateful of bacon
sandwiches getting things off to a super start, before mugs of tea washed it all
down and the trailer was opened up. Again, enthusiastic punters lined up ready
to buy new carbon, and before long, we were forced to take orders as so much
stock had been sold! The sun still shone, the weather was superb, and every
single person I spoke to had thoroughly enjoyed it and couldn’t wait for the
next one… the mark of a good show.
Carp in the Park turned out to be a fantastic way for the angling trade to
engage directly with customers, answer queries, and sell product. More
importantly, the whole event was fun, with something for all, and I noted far
fewer bored looking partners as the angler in their life browsed the kit on
offer…not like many of the other shows where it ALL about fishing! Overall, it
was a fun way to spend a weekend, I can hardly call it ‘work’, and it was great
to meet so many anglers with whom I’ve only conversed via email or social media
who popped in to see us. Thank you, it was very much appreciated, and I hope
I’ll see you at the next one!
https://www.radangling.co.uk/#/