The last Farthest From - The End of an Era

[Jez]

Good morning SWFUK. I've just heard the disappointing news that next month's Farthest From in Fordingbridge will be the final one.

Me, Stu Skinner, Dan Burgess and Peter Lee were planning on going there on the Saturday (like we have done every time we could do) but we're hoping that this final occasion might attract people from all over the place to make the last vintage pilgrimage to Fordingbridge as a Thank You and celebration of Dave Tree's incredible service over the years.

Farthest From brought SWFUK all together in 2012! I remember fondly the first one with Chris Mann, Grant Criddle and Iain Sanderson staying at my house the night before.

Please can you consider attending? It would be great to see you there.

Let's flood this thread with positivity and photos of great Farthest From events.

 

[Jez]

https://allthecoolstuff.co.uk/colle...ar-wars-collector-convention-ticket-pre-order
Saturday December 6th
Fordingbridge Town Hall
SP6 1AS

 

[edd_jedi]

I'm really gutted to hear this will be the last one, especially as I can't make this date I hope you all have a great time, I've got many good memories from previous events over the years.

 

[StarWarsFan]

Never went to this event but still sad to hear it's the last one

 

[sith-smith]

I'll be there for sure

 

[monkey_roo]

I will be there Sat morning for a short bit and back on Sunday for the panels. I was chatting to Dave last week and he didn't mention it was the last - gutted.

 

[jedi_masters]

I'm gutted. It's my Saturday in work and we can't get holiday during December as it's our busiest season.

 

[Mini99]

I'm gutted. It's my Saturday in work and we can't get holiday during December as it's our busiest season.

I'm in the same situation, December is always a bad month to get time off.
I hope all that attend give FF a great send off as I like many have some great memories of these events.

 

[edd_jedi]

I will be there Sat morning for a short bit and back on Sunday for the panels. I was chatting to Dave last week and he didn't mention it was the last - gutted.

I don't think there is a Sunday this time? That's why I can't go

 

[monkey_roo]

Sunday is a day of Panels (no toy sales - which is good for the wallet) - https://allthecoolstuff.co.uk/colle...behind-the-star-wars-stories-ticket-pre-order

Should be interesting

 

[Cazza]

Definitely the end of an era. Been 3 times in the past and it's always been great. A really important corner stone of the hobby in the UK.

Why is Dave stopping? I guess it's a huge effort and he's done it for years + interest seems to have fallen for various reasons.

 

[edd_jedi]

Ah well at least I can probably go on the Sunday then

 

[Jez]

The original and most revered collecting gathering. Lifelong friendships forged. So much vintage purchased. So many great panels, so many memories. Having been at the first and been at the most recent, I can say that the collecting landscape has changed. Farthest From was the single point of collecting contact for several years but then the juggernaut that is Echo Live and Facebook was born. Footfall and traders have dropped off. Last year we conducted a survey to see what we could do to instil some positive change, one of the customer feedback points was that it being on Sunday was a problem for more than most, so Dave changed it to Saturday for the last one as that's what the feedback was suggesting would work. It didn't really have much of an impact either way.
The AndMore event was brilliant, Dave's next is Thank The Maker. When coupled with his numerous shows elsewhere and his Roll Out Roll Call events at Fordingbridge, I suspect that the juice isn't worth the squeeze.
Maybe a Saturday one in the Summer would work, who knows. But for the time being this does look like the end of the Farthest From Vintage Collecting shows.
Thanks Dave. Thank The Maker

 

[Jez]

I'll be there for sure

See you there mate!

 

[lejackal]

https://allthecoolstuff.co.uk/colle...ar-wars-collector-convention-ticket-pre-order
Saturday December 6th
Fordingbridge Town Hall
SP6 1AS

Hi Jez, is pre booking essential? Or can I wing it on the day if I can swing it?

 

[Jez]

Hi Jez, is pre booking essential? Or can I wing it on the day if I can swing it?

Hi mate. I'm sure you do not need to pre book. I'll take a look and get back to you.

 

[Jez]

Hi Jez, is pre booking essential? Or can I wing it on the day if I can swing it?

I've just heard back. Pre booking is essential for the Friday and Saturday night meals but NOT Saturday day

 

[Darth Bobby]

Ah it's a shame it's ending. Since we moved up north we just haven't been able to make it down. Such an amazing event. I remember the first one I ever attended and the numerous trips to the cash machine. It really crystallised the collecting experience and kind of made the idea of a community real. I remember being in the queue and thinking 'hmmmm these people are weird too, just like me.' Everyone was super friendly and it was great to see the guys from the podcast and forum. Thanks for the good memories Dave, Farthest From's place in collecting history is significant. Days long remembered.

 

[Trandoshan_TJ]

I've never been to this event but it being the last one is sad. I will have to try and make it down so at least I can experience it once. What time does it start and what's parking like? Jez I see you said pre -booking is not essential would it be easy to swing by and get in or should I pre book as it would be first time going?

 

[sith-smith]

Think early bird is at 10. There's a large carpark a short walk from the venue

 

[lejackal]

Epic fail again from me - have fun everyone

 

[Cazza]

Yep, have a good one. Really wanted to go, but just couldn't swing it.

 

[edd_jedi]

Annoyingly the other plan fell through but I have had a chest infection all week so not up to it Hope you all give it a good send off.

 

[sith-smith]

It was an enjoyable show. Even had a guest appearance from Gus Lopez, which was pretty cool.

Here's my table from the show

Complete with Jon Aves (palitoyjunky) hiding behind the Lego monorail!

 

[monkey_roo]

Double picture post - picked up a few things yesterday and back today (for a few hours at any rate) for the Thank the Maker panels - had to run off before the end of the day - but fun stories and a good way to spend a few hours on a very wet Sunday..

 

[Clarkspie&chips]

I managed to pop in for about 30 minutes and it was a joy to catch up with a few of you guys.
I also managed to snatch 5 minutes with Gus to talk about his mega museum which was great.
If that really was the last one it will be a real shame, FF gave me a fabulous opportunity to meet (and get drunk!) with some amazing people. I will miss the social side of them more than anything else.

 

[x-pack2]

Well that's sad news. Can't remember what year my first FF was, but I loved meeting all you guys. It just got a bit too difficult to find room in Fordingbridge when the event got bigger, that and a four hour drive from Lancashire!
But I have really fond memories of being there and going in the pub for drinks. Bloody marvellous lot of lads.