Bushcraft Show or Wilderness Gathering?

[spud_23]

another vote for the WG.. went for the first time last year as a first meet. Fantastic atmosphere, met some great people, very much a social and skill sharing aspect to it alongside the trading side.
Definate plus having multiple camping areas to choose from! good job Roger

 

[johnboy]

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 ?

An observation might be that those shows cater for a more focused group. 'UK Bushcraft' Is very wide spectrum so getting the exact cross sectional mix to appeal to all tastes might be difficult.

 

[Toddy]

An observation might be that those shows cater for a more focused group. 'UK Bushcraft' Is very wide spectrum so getting the exact cross sectional mix to appeal to all tastes might be difficult.

That is very true.
On the other hand; someone like me, who genuinely relishes the company of capable people, finds the whole range of topics fascinating, thoroughly enjoys shopping too , loves being in places like Lakes, and it didn't hold my interest.

As I said, first year and all that entails, I'm just being straightforwardly honest, not trying to discourage others, but I'm not going to lie and say it was everything it wasn't, and I freely admit I haven't been to the other show to compare.

cheers,
M

 

[Johnnyboy1971]

I have done both the Moot and the WG and love them both for different reasons.
The Moot is laid back friendly and doesnt have the comersial feel, so if you just want to get away for a bit this is the one.

The WG is commersial and for that reason i like it. Im able to have a good look around and see whats new and in soe instances try them out. You get to meet the traders face to face.

This year all being well i will do both again, shame they dont follow on so i can go straight from the Moot to the WG.

 

[Prawnster]

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.

That pretty much sums up exactly what I thought of The Bushcraft Show!
It was the first time I'd been to a bushcraft themed event so I have no frame of reference but I absolutely loved it. I booked a few paid classes but I got just as much, if not more, out of the free demos, talks and walkabouts. The woodsmoke team were outstanding.
I think it is meant to be commercially bigger than the others but that is fine with me as I'm a kit junkie. The food, although delicious, was a bit of a shambles but they'll have hopefully learnt from that for this year.
I can't make it this year because my cousin has gone and booked her wedding for that weekend. What makes that even worse is that this year The Bushcraft Show will have none other than Les Stroud in attendance who as well as doing talks and stuff will also be providing the live music of an evening with his trusty harmonica. Gutted that I can't be there.


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[vinnyp68]

I have been going to the wilderness gathering for years with my family and always enjoy it. Yes there's lots of stalls selling stuff which is great if you want to pick up kit. But there are tons of stalls doing demos all day as well as the formal classes in the woods. They run dedicated kid events for 3 age groups, very creative and very safe. This is a weekend event and you really can't see everything on a day ticket. From the gathering I have met some fastastic knowledgeable people who I count as valued friends now. I think roger and his team do a great job trying to cater for everyone's taste, every year it evolves and a lot of this comes from feedback.

This is a weekend event and if you have not experienced that I am nor sure criticism is really valid

 

[vinnyp68]

You should also consider this for a spring event, great weekend, very laid back

http://www.bushcraft-magazine.co.uk/events.php

 

[RachelUK]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate you all taking the time to give me your thoughts. Think I'm on for WG, I am a gear junkie so that's a tick for me, plus the vast number of classes to attend. Sounds brilliant. Def gonna check out BushMoot too now though. Thanks again everyone :You_Rock_

 

[drewdunnrespect]

I am a moot man through and through

 

[treadlightly]

Drew,

The debate was between the Bushcraft Show and the Wilderness Gathering. There is no question that the Moot tops the lot!!

 

[9InchNinja]

I'm bringing the missus and wee one to the Wilderness Gathering, The Bushcraft show and the Moot this year.
AND I've just seen the one the Vinnyp68 has posted about. Lucky the wife likes camping

 

[Blencathra]

Interesting subject, just asked this on end of GoPro post, sorry.....

Relatively new to the bushcraft scene, just learn by course or reading, have nevert hought of going to a big show but increasingly wanting to excite my young family and have some good weekends away. We have a camper van so combining the 2 hobbies was one idea we had and we found out about these shows so anyone know if these shows are any good?



[url]www.thebushcraftshow.co.uk[/URL]



[url]www.adventureoverlandshow.com[/URL]

The last one looks like some great potential for my young sons other interests........beside camping, he is really into landrovers and trucks, so seems like might be best of both worlds.

What do you think ?

Anthony

 

[havocsdad]

I've went to both last year and to be honest I found them both very good, both very different. The Bushcraft show is yes quite commercial but as a reletively newbie, I found everyone helpful and pleasant, informative sessions and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I didnt partake in the food fiasco as I took my own but it was the first year and yes there were teething problems as I dont think the organisers didnt realise just how popular it was. The Widerness Gathering is much more intimate is so far as its not as commercial, the exhibitor are freindly and you can learn lots as well by just talking to people . Its a bit like gigs , the big ones are great (Bushcraft show) and the smaller select gigs( Wilderness gathering) are great but in an intimate way. My opinion is if you can afford it, time and money wise go to both you will take lots from either> oh and if you do go to either come over and say Hi !

 

[plastic-ninja]

We had a good weekend at the BS at Lakeside last year.
Think we may go to the new version depending on canoe facilities.
We did lots of free stuff and some paid classes and came away with lots of new skills.
I agree with the comment re Woodsmoke.They were tireless and as usual keen to chat and demonstrate
their skills.
I do fancy the Moot but it's soooooooo far away from us.
Simon

 

[Bushwhacker]

I went to the WG in 2010 (just for the day mind) and had a good day bantering with Fish and Josh, a nice chat with the Coastal guys as we're in the same locale, admired Patricks excellent work, checked out Max's tracking stuff and had a chin wag with matey who did the smoked meats. Only thing I couldn't figure out was all the knives and uniform, I felt like a weirdo wandering around in normal clothes.

 

[Toddy]

Yeah what is with the uniform ???
Is it like the doctor's white coat thing ? or do the schools who wear it get a discount for advertising ?

cheers,
M

 

[Bushwhacker]

Yeah what is with the uniform ???
Is it like the doctor's white coat thing ? or do the schools who wear it get a discount for advertising ?

cheers,
M

It was the punters too.
There's no need to wear a knife whilst wandering around looking at stuff.

 

[Johnnyboy1971]

I went to the WG in 2010 (just for the day mind) and had a good day bantering with Fish and Josh, a nice chat with the Coastal guys as we're in the same locale, admired Patricks excellent work, checked out Max's tracking stuff and had a chin wag with matey who did the smoked meats. Only thing I couldn't figure out was all the knives and uniform, I felt like a weirdo wandering around in normal clothes.

What uniform is that then.

 

[Bushwhacker]

What uniform is that then.

Pretty much what you'd wear if you were to be hiking across dartmoor for a week.

 

[Prawnster]

I don't think it's all that difficult to understand. A lot of people into bushcraft like knives. Some have paid a lot of money for them or spent hours making one themselves. They view them as beautiful works of craftsmanship and they like showing them off and looking at other peoples knives. I like wearing a knife on my belt whenever I can, which isn't often in this country. I can't fully explain why. Just like I can't fully explain why I like what I like with most things.

As for the uniform, again people like showing off their kit and looking at others kit. And of course most people feel an urge to fit in, to belong.

If you don't feel like that that's fine of course, everyone is different. I'm sure no one thought you were weird for wearing 'normal clothes', whatever they are. If you felt like a weirdo though, maybe you should worry less about what everyone else is wearing and thinking.


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