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History
The Telford Rally was organised and run by two Shropshire Amateur Radio Societies, "TDARS" Telford & District Amateur Radio Society and "SARS" Salop Amateur Radio Society. The Rally had its origins back in the mid 70s, when Telford was a new town. The very first rally was held in the shiny new shopping centre before the days of Sunday opening. It was then, as now, very successful.
We moved from the town centre to the Telford International Centre in the early 80s, when it was known as the Telford Racquet Centre. Incidentally we were the very first "exhibition" to be held at that centre. In 1999, because of the continuing rise in costs at the TIC, it was decided to look for an alternative venue, which turned out to be at the RAF Museum site at Cosford in 2000.
This was a popular venue for 5 years, but unfortunately, extensive building work was started in 2005, and this has continued; so for the time being, no exhibitions can take place there.
In 2005 we found an alternative location - West Midlands Show Ground. It was an attractive venue, all on ground level, and on the edge of open countryside. A pleasant place for a day out close to the Historic town of Shrewsbury.
The Telford Rally has for very many years been held on the first weekend following the August Bank Holiday. Early in February ’06 we learned that the Leicester Amateur Radio Show had moved its dates from their usual slot at the end of September/early October to September 8th and 9th. This was only 5 days after the date for our own Telford Rally had already been planned.
The T.A.R.R.G committee believed that many traders and visitors would not feel able to visit both events so close together in time. As a direct result, the Committee had no choice but to abandon the 29th Telford Rally in its old form and formally close the group.
Following the demise of the 2006 Telford Radio Rally, Telford & District A.R.S. organised an alternative event, co-ordinated with the famous Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust’s Staff at Enginuity picking up where we left off and going back to our core values:
- A real Radio Event - with the best traders attending
- A real family event - Somewhere you can bring the kids and have fun before or after the rally
- A true Hamfest Event where people can participate and learn about other aspects of Amateur Radio
Telford & District A.R.S. picked up where the Telford Rally left off at the first Hamfest in 2006. Several of the same organisers of that event for many years are helping with the transition and it is backed by the Committee and Club. This new site has been chosen because it offers more than just a Radio Rally venue, indeed the beautiful Ironbridge Gorge is a great attraction in its own right and has the Enginuity technology site in the same grounds!
In 2009 we had several issues finding suitable dates with Leicester moving and the RSGB starting a new event in Lincoln at the last minute. Depsite these actions we still pulled off a succesful event and managed to fill the arenas with traders and visitors. There were no tables left in the weeks before the event.
2009 also saw us introduce our first lecture stream. We want Radio Amateurs to get as much from our Hamfest as possible so we asked GEO, the Group for Earth Observation to run two seminars during the day, both of which were well attended, where people could learn the ins and outs of home satellite reception of weather pictures.
We want to support the grass roots Radio Amateurs in the local area and beyond and believe that there is still a need for regional events like this. Do You?
2009 was a great success, providing a unique intimate venue within an area rich in attractions. 2010 will continue in the same way. |
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