As many of you will know, The Oxford Mineral and Fossil Show at Kidlington, Oxfordshire (United Kingdom) has been taken over, since the untimely demise last year of Paul Lowe, the previous organizer.
The new hosts of the show, chosen by Paul's family, are the UK Mineral and Fossil Events Company Ltd, comprising of Colleen Thomson, Sara Giller and Ross Whittaker.
They intend to carry on running the shows as Paul had wanted, with emphasis on making them for collectors to buy quality material and to meet up with likeminded friends to socialize. The new organizers have no intention of allowing it to become just another ‘bead & crystal wands’ show.
There are a few minor changes, namely the ‘early bird’ entry before the official opening time is no longer allowed, due to Insurance and safety issues and favored by most of the exhibitors. The opening time has also been brought forward to 10am.
The first show in March was a great success, with nearly everyone exclaiming it was one of the BEST shows they had attended there. Numbers of visitors was up on previous shows and the ladies in the kitchen had to send out for more bacon & rolls three times! Hopefully there will be a better selection of cakes in future too! (another improvement being made).
The second show on May 7th was also busier than the previous year.
A testament to the increased marketing and determination of the new team to make the show a better version of its old self.
Thomson Minerals stand at the March show
Jolyon Ralph was at the Oxford Show in March and was doing a ‘LIVE REPORT’ from the Hall, beaming it directly to the MINDAT.ORG website for people around the world to follow. Here is the link to that report :
https://www.mindat.org/article.php/2533/Oxford+Mineral+Show+-+Live+Report
Colleen; Ross; Sara – new organisers of the show. Photo Jolyon Ralph
There is also a Facebook page for news and show reports; updates and anything related to the shows. It is there for everyone to use and for exhibitors to show what they will have to offer and for visitors to post their comments as well.
https://www.facebook.com/ukmineralandfossilevents/
Put dates in your diary now. :-)