f you couldn't make it to the TMCollectables hosted Myth and Magic Roadshow at Uttoxeter races, then we've got the next best thing - photos and a report of the day!
I arrived at the location 10 minutes before the advertised 10am start time (it could have been sooner, but my SatNav decided to send me into a retail park about 2minutes from the racecourse!), and sat reading in my car until 10am.
Upon entering the building, I was greeted by a cheerful Xystos employee who thrust a few goodies into my hand: a mug, pen, special roadshow drout and myth and magic lapel badge. Spread out along the right side of the room were tables and tables of retired studies for sale (lovely to see, as collectors are always looking for that missing study in their collections).
To the left of the room Jesssica was available to chat to about her latest designs for next years studies. The year piece looks as good as ever, along with a special "redemption piece" for club members (I imagine this is to placate collectors unhappy at the demise of the 90xx series) that has been designed to link into the presentation piece to form a 'double piece'. There were several standard and large pieces shown, and a pleasent image I saw was a sketch for the next "Dragon Clan" trilogy. What have we started here with the Valiant Clan idea we suggested a few years back??
A TMCollectables tombola was available - and there were some pretty spectacular prizes for the cost of a ticket (at one point I did see a collector heading to their car with a "Daredevil" study they had won).
Beyond the retired studies tables, Tina Sherrett was demonstrating how she takes the standard pewter effect studies, and paints them to create unique studies. She had a wide range of coloured studies on show and available to buy; there were several large studies, and many from the Lord of the Rings range too. During the roadshow, she could be seen painting last years Extravaganza study "Dragon of the Dawn".
At the far end of the room, TMCollectables were taking orders for some of the new studies. The Valiant Clan dragons seemed to be selling well - and for those of you who bought them, don't confuse the order like I did and think they don't fit together! However, it was unfortunate that TMCollectables were unable to supply some of the new studies today - but this was an issue with Xystos logistics, not TMCollectables.
The location for the Roadshow was very central for the midland, and actually not too far from last years Extravaganza at Alton Towers. Had the Hot Air Balloon festival that was due to take place in the centre of the racecourse not have been cancelled, it would have added an extra element to the roadshow.
We also had chance to talk with Craig from Xystos about the collectors club. For those who want to vent their feelings over the club towards him, please reconsider; he's as frustrated as we are with decisions made above him. However, he's fighting for the club and members and trying to get our feelings and suggestions across. Let's hope he succeeds!
