Maybe its just me being an old grump, but on returning from the Wilderness Gathering I felt a few tricks have been missed. (We went on Friday) Its likely Im going to take some stick for being honest, but I know some people will agree with my points too. I dont wish to cause a heated argument by posting this thread: Im passionate about bushcraft and the outdoors and want events like this to survive. I simply want to share my observations and offer at least a suggested hint to the organisers, that things could (need to) improve.
The food tent was overpriced and dead boring. Dry Bison burgers, very expensive jacket potatoes and some soup was all that was on the menu. (That said the cake and tea tent was a real winner with our family)
The beer tent could be brilliant if there was more atmosphere and choice. 1 type of cider and 1 type of beer seemingly abandoned on a trestle table probably doesnt do it for most of the punters at this event. Imagine what a killing you could make with such a large captive audience of predominantly fun-loving blokes! A bit of live folk music could gee things up a bit too. There also is never anywhere to sit near the food/beer tents when its wet. Try doing that with an 8 year old and an 11 month old.
My 8 year old was twiddling her thumbs in no time. There isnt really much for kids to do when you compare this to the Trowbridge Village Pump Festivals Kids Tent. The same activities were repeated this year and half the kids seemed to have boycotted organised events and were playing their own games in the barn near the farm shop. There also was very little for kids to spend their pocket money on. My daughter ended up with some very nice fudge and that was pretty much all that was in her budget.
Demonstrations and talks etc were pretty thin on the ground (considering the possible oversaturation of Bushcraft training companies at the WG). The poor blokes from these companies mainly looked bored or were just networking/chatting with each other making it difficult for punters to get information off them. There are always lovely surprises in the form of homemade crafts/leather/wood/knives etc, but in the main it seemed the traders were cashing in big time. Some of the bog standard stock items were being sold at prices higher than the internet, considering postage doesnt need to be charged at the event and all the punters paid high entry and camping fees. Bit cheeky I thought.
If you want my honest opinion: I dont think we as a family will be back next year which is a shame as we believe passionately that the outdoors is where true learning is achieved. Through activities such as bushcraft our flora and fauna stands a better chance and quite frankly our kids stand a better chance too. With exceptions, I think the Wilderness Gathering has become a retail event without any atmosphere or vibe.
The food tent was overpriced and dead boring. Dry Bison burgers, very expensive jacket potatoes and some soup was all that was on the menu. (That said the cake and tea tent was a real winner with our family)
The beer tent could be brilliant if there was more atmosphere and choice. 1 type of cider and 1 type of beer seemingly abandoned on a trestle table probably doesnt do it for most of the punters at this event. Imagine what a killing you could make with such a large captive audience of predominantly fun-loving blokes! A bit of live folk music could gee things up a bit too. There also is never anywhere to sit near the food/beer tents when its wet. Try doing that with an 8 year old and an 11 month old.
My 8 year old was twiddling her thumbs in no time. There isnt really much for kids to do when you compare this to the Trowbridge Village Pump Festivals Kids Tent. The same activities were repeated this year and half the kids seemed to have boycotted organised events and were playing their own games in the barn near the farm shop. There also was very little for kids to spend their pocket money on. My daughter ended up with some very nice fudge and that was pretty much all that was in her budget.
Demonstrations and talks etc were pretty thin on the ground (considering the possible oversaturation of Bushcraft training companies at the WG). The poor blokes from these companies mainly looked bored or were just networking/chatting with each other making it difficult for punters to get information off them. There are always lovely surprises in the form of homemade crafts/leather/wood/knives etc, but in the main it seemed the traders were cashing in big time. Some of the bog standard stock items were being sold at prices higher than the internet, considering postage doesnt need to be charged at the event and all the punters paid high entry and camping fees. Bit cheeky I thought.
If you want my honest opinion: I dont think we as a family will be back next year which is a shame as we believe passionately that the outdoors is where true learning is achieved. Through activities such as bushcraft our flora and fauna stands a better chance and quite frankly our kids stand a better chance too. With exceptions, I think the Wilderness Gathering has become a retail event without any atmosphere or vibe.
:yikes: 
)
