CCC Forum

Earlier this year a group from the club visited the Photographic Show and a good time was had by all.

The organisers are now advertising next year's show which is again being held at the NEC Birmingham between 18 - 21 March.

Hopefully we can put a group together again but at least you can put the dates in your diaries and if you wish get your tickets in advance. Equally rail fares are cheaper purchased well in advance by it's worth considering the fixed return times on the cheapest tickets. Some wanted to leave a bit earlier this year but could not board an earlier train without paying the FULL one-way fare.

I'm sure that this topic will grow over the next couple of months so start saving your pennies as there are some good deals to be had at the show. posting.php?mode=post&f=4#

Regards,

Tom

Hi Tom

You have made some good points. There are options for train travel to and from The Photography Show which are heavily discounted, but as you point out offer no flexibility. I have checked and there is a promotion with the NEC in conjunction with Virgin Trains where it is currently possible to do the return trip for £12 - £6 each way. Those are 2016 prices, so might increase in the new year. Generally, these really cheap Advance fares go on sale 12 weeks beforehand.

Personally, there is more than eough to do that I enjoy having a full day at the show. That said, there is no reason why people should not return on an earlier train. It just requires some planning. In the past I have done a group booking so we can all sit together. One option would be to purchase off-peak return tickets for those who do not want to stay for the entire day. It's more expensive, currently £26-25 one way, but allows travel on any off-peak train.

As in previous years, I am prepared to book group travel for the outbound 9:43 service from Euston and the inbound 18:20 service from Birmingham International. Anyone wanting different arrangements for either journey or both can make their own arrangements. For example, participate in the group booking for travel to the show and book their own tickets for the return. It makes life simpler for me.

Saturday is generally the best day to go, which will be 18 March. Sunday train travel is much less convenient as journey times are protracted. Saturday is usually the quietest day and no one should have run out of stock for popular items. As Tom said, there are always special prices to be had.

Depending on the response to this post, I'll create a new topic to finalise arrangements if there is sufficient interest in a club outing to the show. For the moment, just indicate whether you would like to go.

UPDATE:

At present, I am only looking for expressions of interest to see if it is worthwhile organising a formal outing. If it does go ahead, I will book the travel as soon as the cheap Advanced travel train tickets become available. That will be from late December onwards.

It would be helpful to have quick responses to this request. I'll review the situation on Sunday (11 December) and make a decision then.

Hi Mike,

Thank you for taking the arrangements for the show on board. I thought this year's outing was a great day out and am looking forward to next year's.

Please count me in. I'll take up the option of the flexible return ticket just in case I have to leave early (or run out of pennies).

Regards,

Tom