Bushcraft Show or Wilderness Gathering?

[RachelUK]

I'm thinking of going to one of these shows but can't decide between the two. Any feedback from you guys if you have been? WG is nearer to me but certainly not a deal breaker.

Would value any feedback or opinions if anyone has been to either of these. My first impression from both websites was WG was a bit more about the classes and discussions than BCS, which has more stalls/traders, but that's justmy impression from the websites, I may be wrong.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Cheers

 

[Toddy]

I went to the bushcraft show last year. First time I'd been to anything like this tbh.

It was very commercial, there were demos (Karl Lee's flintknapping was excellent) mostly they felt like party pieces, but apart from the fellow selling old tools, Lakeland bushcraft and the army surplus stall I didn't buy anything. Nordic Outdoors and Ronnie Sunshine were there as well, and if I'd been after kit, great ranges available from them too.

I was disappointed to be truthful.
I spend a lot of time with crafts folks. I know Patrick McGlinchey from Backwoodssurvival and I've seen (and spent hours just looking through the stuff he makes) the stall he sets out at events up here. I expected that from the other schools, was really really looking forward to seeing the things they did, made, taught, and was totally underimpressed.
I expect hanks of cordage.....there was a wee board with eight or nine different ones about 30cms long stretched across it on one stall.
I expected to see a hive of bushcrafty busy-ness and instead it was like a major cub scout camp. ( no offence intended to the Scouts, but I came to see a bushcraft show, not a jamboree) Lots of folks in the regulation 'bushcraft uniform' though ....something to do with the professionals all wearing the same kit

Tea and juice and food was a major rip off, though I'm told on a par with festival events, I sort of expected cafe prices
I paid for our tickets in advance and the first thing they did when we got to the entrance was to try to 'sell' me a site map ......it felt like the hands were out before I was even in the door.

It's an idea that I think really should take off. It's the right time of year, it's a good big site, in a good central area, loads of room for camping and parking, there's a lot of interest and I know it was just the first year.
Would I go again ? Hmmmmm. maaaaybe, but I think I'd rather have a look at the Wilderness Gathering tbh.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Chris the Cat]

I love the WG, go every year
( I tend to give Dave Budd a hand )
The best part is meeting up with folks that you don't get time to meet up with at other times.
Theres loads to buy if thats your thing, but loads to learn, some great work shops.
Fab venue, you can even camp in the woods there!
My best.
Chris.

 

[RachelUK]

Thanks chaps for taking the time to give me feedback, very useful. Liking the sound of WG more and more!

 

[John Fenna]

I just save my money and time for the Bushcraft Moot
Free (or next to free) workshops
Some selling but no pressure
All my bushy pals tend to be there
Great venue
reasonably close to home
What more do I need?

 

[Mesquite]

I went to the bushcraft show last year. First time I'd been to anything like this tbh.

It was very commercial, there were demos (Karl Lee's flintknapping was excellent) mostly they felt like party pieces, but apart from the fellow selling old tools, Lakeland bushcraft and the army surplus stall I didn't buy anything. Nordic Outdoors and Ronnie Sunshine were there as well, and if I'd been after kit, great ranges available from them too.

I was disappointed to be truthful.
I spend a lot of time with crafts folks. I know Patrick McGlinchey from Backwoodssurvival and I've seen (and spent hours just looking through the stuff he makes) the stall he sets out at events up here. I expected that from the other schools, was really really looking forward to seeing the things they did, made, taught, and was totally underimpressed.
I expect hanks of cordage.....there was a wee board with eight or nine different ones about 30cms long stretched across it on one stall.
I expected to see a hive of bushcrafty busy-ness and instead it was like a major cub scout camp. ( no offence intended to the Scouts, but I came to see a bushcraft show, not a jamboree) Lots of folks in the regulation 'bushcraft uniform' though ....something to do with the professionals all wearing the same kit

Tea and juice and food was a major rip off, though I'm told on a par with festival events, I sort of expected cafe prices
I paid for our tickets in advance and the first thing they did when we got to the entrance was to try to 'sell' me a site map ......it felt like the hands were out before I was even in the door.

It's an idea that I think really should take off. It's the right time of year, it's a good big site, in a good central area, loads of room for camping and parking, there's a lot of interest and I know it was just the first year.
Would I go again ? Hmmmmm. maaaaybe, but I think I'd rather have a look at the Wilderness Gathering tbh.

You more or less described the WG as well Mary... That's how I felt after going last year

 

[Toddy]

Woah, that's kind of depressing Steve

It should work, it really should. The Outdoor Show does, the camping and caravanning shows do, the Game Show's are brilliantly active and full of interest, the green woodworkers ones and the countryside crafts ones are absolutely brilliant; why can't our kind work ?

cheers,
M

 

[Roger]

You more or less described the WG as well Mary... That's how I felt after going last year

I would disagree there mesquite. We try not to be overly commercial at The Gathering. As the man responsible for stalls and traders I can tell you most certainly that we encourage more demonstraters and craftspeople each year. We have workshops that you can actively get involved in running all weekend, reasonably priced food and drink and nobody trying to flog you maps on the way in. We strive each year to keep the show within theme and give our customers the experience they want.
Toddy, you seem to know your way around crafts and natural fibres, why don't you give me a call? You seem to have the interests and ideas we like to promote (by reading your posts). Perhaps you could do a talk or related demo of sorts if you wish.
If any body does have any questions or suggestions about The Gathering please feel free to email us through the website.
Roger

 

[Mesquite]

I would disagree there mesquite. We try not to be overly commercial at The Gathering. As the man responsible for stalls and traders I can tell you most certainly that we encourage more demonstraters and craftspeople each year. We have workshops that you can actively get involved in running all weekend, reasonably priced food and drink and nobody trying to flog you maps on the way in. We strive each year to keep the show within theme and give our customers the experience they want.

As I said in my comment that was how I felt Roger... other people may well (and probably will) disagree with me but I personally wasn't that impressed with the WG. And talking to a lot of my friends who have been I got the same sort of feedback from them.

Yes, you have workshops going throughout the weekend but your 'masterclasses' are £18 a pop for this year and introductory lessons £10 a lesson for day ticket people. That soon adds up if I were to do any. I saw very little in the way of free demonstrations when I was there. Yes, I could save money if I bought a long weekend ticket but I'm not in a position to spend a weekend there due to commitments elsewhere so I'm stuck with a day ticket and having to pay extra for any courses I might have to wanted to attend.

If I go again the only reasons will be that certain traders will be there should I need some new kit and it's an opportunity to catch up with some friends.

 

[salad]

I saw lots of demonstrations at the wilderness gathering last year, I found that once I got talking to people at there stands then they would be happy to spend time with any questions and do various demonstrations .
I find the wilderness gathering to be a friendly and relaxed event, I guess like many things in life you get out what you put in . I would encourage anyone to get chatting to the guys on the stalls as there is at lot of knowledge there which from my experience people are very happy to share

 

[Roger]

Yes, you have workshops going throughout the weekend but your 'masterclasses' are £18 a pop for this year and introductory lessons £10 a lesson for day ticket people. That soon adds up if I were to do any. I saw very little in the way of free demonstrations when I was there. Yes, I could save money if I bought a long weekend ticket but I'm not in a position to spend a weekend there due to commitments elsewhere so I'm stuck with a day ticket and having to pay extra for any courses I might have to wanted to attend.

.

I'm sorry that our event doesn't tie in with the time you have available, as I'm sure if you could spend a whole weekend with us you'd see more.

There's a whole lot of stuff going on that you couldn't possibly get to all of just as a day visitor really. A masteclass will use up half of an average day tickets time onsite . last year half the stalls were demonstrators of some sort or other with at least one of the trading areas dedicated to craft demonstrations only.
It is a condition of all the schools attending that they run workshops and or demonstrate skills in some way.
There is an awful lot to see though so i can easily see if you missed some things in your day visit especially with the weather being as it was.

The original show back in 2003 (This is our tenth year) was planned to be for weekend visitors only (our original vison was a more private and social skill sharing Gathering). As a direct result of feedback we have first opened it to more attractions (if that is the right word) and then day visitors on the Saturday and Sunday and more recently the Friday too.

It is in response to constructive feedback that we do our best to improve what we offer each year so please, if you have anything constructive to offer or even if you feel we are doing it wrong somehow then please feed it back to us via email so that we can adapt and improve.

Roger

 

[Retired Member southey]

So is it not worth goingto either for a day then? Obviously roger doesn't seem to think the Wilderness Gathering is,

I'm sorry that our event doesn't tie in with the time you have available, as I'm sure if you could spend a whole weekend with us you'd see more.

There's a whole lot of stuff going on that you couldn't possibly get to all of just as a day visitor really. A masteclass will use up half of an average day tickets time onsite . last year half the stalls were demonstrators of some sort or other with at least one of the trading areas dedicated to craft demonstrations only.
It is a condition of all the schools attending that they run workshops and or demonstrate skills in some way.
There is an awful lot to see though so i can easily see if you missed some things in your day visit especially with the weather being as it was.

The original show back in 2003 (This is our tenth year) was planned to be for weekend visitors only (our original vison was a more private and social skill sharing Gathering). As a direct result of feedback we have first opened it to more attractions (if that is the right word) and then day visitors on the Saturday and Sunday and more recently the Friday too.

It is in response to constructive feedback that we do our best to improve what we offer each year so please, if you have anything constructive to offer or even if you feel we are doing it wrong somehow then please feed it back to us via email so that we can adapt and improve.

Roger

 

[Riven]

My wife and I went to the Wilderness Gathering in 2007. We found it fun and interesting, camped in the woods and even got to see the Bison stroll by us in the evening.
Some good lectures, plenty of stalls and plenty of like minded people.
However we will be going to the Bushcraft Show this year because its a few miles down the road and I want to take my dog.
Riven.

 

[Toddy]

I paid for the whole event tickets at the BCShow, we didn't even go for a last squint round on the last day, just went home early.

The Moot is different again. It's laid back, just ourselves socialising in a very contented way. It's not aimed at bringing in thousands of people, and Tony said he doesn't want it getting bigger. The shop stall, the members kit sale table, and the traders day is fine for that size of group.........though I could see a member with the right paper work setting up a bushcrafty breakfast bar and doing quite well at it I think there's a problem with the fellow outside at the entrance to the site though since he's paid the council to sell

Tbh I have better weekends at the reenactors markets than I did at the Bushcraftshow, and would happily recommend either of those events to folks, they're both on twice a year too, and there's a new one setting up at Penrith now. It's on this weekend. It's still small, but it's growing.


It's the first year for the Bushcraftshow though, so maybe it's just teething.
The Wilderness Gathering seems to have either a love it or not going back response but by all accounts it does change and the organisers are obviously pro active about improvements and developments.

I do know that high entrance fees can be incredibly offputting for people to any event though, but the organisers need to cover running costs and their time and efforts too.

Interested to hear the opinions of anyone who has attended both shows.

cheers,
M

p.s. Sorry Riven, this wasn't in response to your post, just my typing while I drink my tea

 

[Roger]

So is it not worth goingto either for a day then? Obviously roger doesn't seem to think the Wilderness Gathering is,

Nice one.
There is so much there that you really should come for a whole weekend to see it all.
Roger

 

[Riven]

Going all weekend makes sense as you feel a part of the event other than just a passer by. You arrive, check things out and then have the whole weekend to relax and enjoy.

 

[treadlightly]

I went to the WG for a day last year, my first visit. I enjoyed the day, met some friends, wandered around the various stalls and got some kit I had had my eye on for some time. So overall it was worth the 200 mile plus round trip. Like Mesquite though, I found it a bit too commercial.

I am planning to go to the Bushcraft Show this year (one reason is that it is one of the very few I can take my dog to) so disappointed to read Toddy's comments. I will go nonetheless and see for myself.

 

[Retired Member southey]

I think you can liken both to the two current bushcraft titled magazines, the Bushcraft Show being like Bushcraft and survival skills, The Wilderness Gathering more like The Bushcraft Magazine.

 

[Riven]

Another vote for mans best friend from treadlightly

 

[Shark Tinderbox]

Thought that I would give this a bump for you Roger.

The Wilderness Gathering has a lot going for it, much, much more than can be waded through in just a single day.

You can enjoy a friendly relaxed family atmosphere, whilst learning tonnes of Bushcraft stuff, the whole place is a veritable encyclopaedia of skills and knowledge.

You can involve yourself in as much or a little as you wish, and it seems day or night there is always something to do.

At the end of each day you can join in with others at the main field’s camp fire, have a few beers, talk, listen to stories being told and live music being played and if you’ve a mind, make new friends.

If you are a regular, you can meet with old friends and catch-up.

The Beer and Cider tent is a gathering point for those who like to socialise with a drink in their hands and the Tea & Coffee tent sell some of the nicest cakes I’ve had.

The myriad of stall holders are always willing to is talk to anyone, give advice about what they know and demonstrate their wares.

There is a constant supply of Free demonstrations to attend, and there is a plethora of organised classes, for those who want a more in-depth knowledge base about a subject.

Come rain or shine it is a great weekend Family event.