Radical thought

[Number 452]

Here is a radical idea. I know it will not please everybody, but hopefully a useful discussion will follow.

Is now the right time to cease production of any further new Camberwick Green figures?

I raise the question now as I see that the newest figure to be released is Barney McGrew, Apples galore! A lovely piece, but ....... another rehash of a fireman - just like another rehash of Windy and others.

I believe (and I know I will be corrected by those with a greater in-depth knowledge) that all the charecters have now been done.

I am still trying to complete my collection, and if we reached the end of the Camberwick line today, I'm sure I would eventually be succesful in my quest. Yet, another release (of the same charecter) means more money, more storage space, and the probaibility of never completing the collection. I know that I am not alone in being short of display space. Other threads have spoken about rotating collections. Surely having half a collection stored away in it's box is not what collecting is all about.

I don't have the original music box, and in all probability will not ever be able to afford it (at current asking prices) whilst spending money on the latest release. My thinking is that if the Camberwick line ended now, at least I would have a chance of catching up and completing my collection. Money usually spent on a new pieces could be saved and put towards the purchase of the missing piece(s). If Camberwick was the only line produced by Robert Harrop, then there would be a good argument for carrying on with the production of the same charecters in different scenes. But that isn't the case, and if indeed storage is not a problem, having completed my Camberwick collection, I could then move on to Mr Benn, or Bagpusss or any of the other superb themes.

I love my collection, and I love everything that Robert Harrop have done. I just feel that we are now reaching saturation point.

This is not a criticism of Robert Harrop in any way. I just thought I would stick my neck out and raise the topic. I may be the only one who thinks this way, then again I may just be the first to say what many are thinking. Either way, this forum will give an ideal opportunity for all of us to express are opinions. So, what do you think?

[Alexander Lemming]

You make a good point and I've thought the same about the constant remodelling of Dennis and Dan in The Beano Dandy Collection, but these are the most popular characters and guarantee sales. Likewise I believe the Camberwick Green collection is the best selling (or was) and so RH are going to look at continuing it if it's still popular and people are still buying the pieces. You could also argue that new comers, who missed out on the original version of their favourite character are being given a chance to buy them when RH release a remodelled version.

At the end of the day I'd always like to see new characters over existing ones.

[The Wicker Man]

I agree.

[The Curious Orange]

I've stopped buying the figures some time ago - Mr Robinson the Window Cleaner and Mrs Murphy were the last two I picked up. There are a few minor characters left, but I doubt we'll see them now.

I'm only buying the vehicles and the shop-based scenarios now, and they're running out of them. I want to see the Greengrocer's and the Clock shop, the Ice Cream Van and the Fire Engine.

At which point, I suspect I'll stop collecting, and I imagine a lot of other people will too. So that might be a good point to stop the range.

[Gavin]

I would like to see a few more releases of PC Mcgarry personally

[Lodgey]

I've cut down to collecting only original figures, for example 'The Foreman' and music boxes. The re models are nice but I can't believe they sell as well as the early days, say 6 or 7 years ago - I just don't have the interest any more.

So 452 I'm in agreement.

[neillewis1]

I too think its time to stop, I have thought this for a while. Alas its not our decision and as long as we buy the pieces to keep the collection up to date, Im sure they will continue to make them.

I had fun making my collection complete. Now that it is and consumes 2 big display cabinets, I have to think long and hard about buying anymore, but then I only have part of the collection.

I think this thread riases valid points.

[The Curious Orange]

The point is, of course, that no one is forcing you to buy them.

[Windy Girl]

Indeed, no-one is forcing us to buy them but I have the whole collection now and almost feel obliged to buy new pieces. I know that sounds stupid but no point having a complete collection if you don't keep it that way.

I like the re-models - I would have bought them over the individual figures if they had been released at the same time as there is more interest, but when you have 8 Windy Millers or something it does get a bit silly. I've run out of room now and don't believe in rotating the display so I'm going to be forced into stopping.

Like Curious there are a couple of vehicles I would still like to see, and the fire engine goes without saying. I'm taking a guess that sales figures aren't what they were which will ultimately determine further production and I'm now hoping that day will come sooner rather than later.

If I started to picket Robert Harrop to request the fire engine, would anyone care to join me with their placards for a peaceful demonstration? ;) ;) ;)

[The Curious Orange]

Well, after the Winnie Farthing riots of a few years ago, why not?

[JayC]

I'm probably not entitled to express an opinion on this as I've never bought any. :o
But I run a Trumpton site so I'm nothing if not interested.

Were I a collector though I'd probably be thinking that Harrops had rung just about every last drop of value out of it.......and me.(and Windy Girl !!)
And I have to say that it does all seem increasingly desperate and a little bit tired to someone looking in from the outside.

A demon bit of licensing business though that's kept Harrops,its customers and Mr.Murray very happy over the last few years.
And no business is going to call "time" whilst the money keeps rolling in.Even if some of its strongest supporters are prepared to acknowledge that it's run out of steam.

JayC :)
trumpton3.homestead.com (http://trumpton3.homestead.com)

[mitzy]

i must admir that i am waiting for the end of the range for all the same reasons and also living in greece its even harder for me now. I have loved collecting and alll that goes with it but we need to bring it to an end :(

[Marie88]

:( My first post on this new forum. I am so disappointed with the new Barney McGrew piece.

I don't want another fireman.

I don't want another PC McGarry and I certainly don't want another Windy Miller.

All I wanted was a collection I could complete and admire. What I have now is a money pit with no end in sight.

My collection used to be one of my favourite passtimes but now it's lost it's charm and I feel like I'm being taken for a ride. Please just release the last couple of vehicles, shops and obscure characters and bring it to a lovely conclusion.

Please don't spoil it for your loyal collectors and please, NO MORE REMODELS!!! :(

[Lodgey]

Seems pretty unanamous RHD.

[POPPY]

Don't you guys even want the FIRENGINE anymore :D

[Windy Girl]

Of course we want the fire engine!! But that's really all we do want now. I don't want another remodelled fireman either, I think the club piece should be something a bit different, like an animal or prop from the show. The cat and the hen were much better club pieces - a bit different from the normal.

It's feeling a bit sad that everyone's getting so deflated over this collection, it would have been nice for it to go out on a high instead of everyone wishing it would come to an end. Life our spirits RHD, bring us the fire engine!!!!!!!

WE WANT IT NOW!

PS And I don't want more fireman on it, I want something for my existing fireman to stand proudly alongside. ;)

[Number 452]

Well it has been interesting to read the well thought through views of everybody to date. As I previously said, this was never about having a go at Robert Harrop and all the wonderful staff, and I'm somewhat revieved I'm not the only one with the view that I expressed. Of course, nobody is forcing us to buy anything, but human nature does make you feel that somehow you must just have that next figure just to complete the collection (until the next release). Personally I would be over the moon to have completed the Camberwick collection, just so that I could refresh the batteries and start on a new series, i.e Mr Benn or some of the other suggestions made during the past that have yet to materialise............ and yes, it would be great to go out with a bang (or ding-a-ling) with the fire-engine.

[Stars and garters]

I'd still like to see more scenarios, particularly walled ones (I was disappointed that the hat shop had no walls), such as the clock shop, Lord Belborough's library, the Mayor's office, even the pottery with Dr Mopp looking on. And there are still a couple of vehicles outstanding - particularly the ice cream van, and, monster though it would be, the barge.

For me, a scenario and a vehicle each spring and autumn would keep me going happily for another couple of years.

Stars and garters

[Marlinspike]

Cheer up,

There are plenty more pieces that Harrop’s could make of the Camberwick community. Examples are:-

Farmer Bell’s forklift truck (musical)
Farmer Bell’s mechanical digger
Farmer Bell’s truck
Fire engine (musical)
Bandstand (musical)
“Cresswell’s Chigley Biscuits” van (a cracking van)
Biscuit dancers podium
Biscuit factory
Biscuit factory machine
The balloon with the Mayor & Lord Belborough inside
Winkstead Hall
Biscuit factory
Treddle’s Wharf
Mr. Dagenham’s car (+ trailer)
Mr. Dagenham’s helicopter
Mr. Rumpling’s barge
Raggy Dan’s cart
Telephone van
Mr. Harkin’s paint pulley
Windmill (musical, maybe with Windy attached to one of the sails by his jacket)
Mr. Bilton’s engine with trailer
Mr. Antonio & the lawnmower
Mr. Antonio’s ice cream van
An old-fashioned stick signpost showing the mileages to Camberwick, Trumpton & Chigley

Also, when I was a kid I remember having plastic PC McGarry & Windy Miller egg-cups. Would it be an idea for Harrop’s to make, as per the Picture Box which could be used as a photo frame, pieces such as a Windy Miller egg-cup, Peter Hazel letter rack, Mickey Murphy toast rack etc? It represents a bit of diversification, but personally I’d quite like a Mickey Murphy toast rack looking at me every morning.

Anyhow, food for thought.

[MandyH]

I have loved collecting all these pieces and would be sad if it came to an end, but in a way I would be relieved as well. Now, I am buying pieces to ensure that I have all of them, rather than because of the pieces themselves. Each new issue I am delighted by the new pieces that come out, but if Harrops did say that the collection was coming to an end I wouldn't feel that I was missing out on anything. The pieces mentioned above would be great, but to me they are not essential. I have very little space left to display anything else, and do not want to have pieces being rotated and having to spend their intervening time in their boxes.

It has been great, but it can't go on for ever.

[Windy Girl]

A signpost! Great idea, and THAT is what the year piece should have been instead of another fireman!

Apart from that I'd cross everything off that list except the fire engine. Well, as bizarre as Mr Dagenham's helicopter was, I've always had a soft spot for it so I might keep that too. ;) No more room on my shelves but I could always hang it from the ceiling!

[The Curious Orange]

I'd vote for:

Vehicles

The Fire Engine
Mr Dagenham's sports car
Mr Antonio's Ice Cream Truck
Raggy Dan and his cart
Mr Rumpling's Barge

Scenarios

Mr Clamp's Greengrocer's Shop
Mr Platt's Clock Shop
The Minton's workshop
The Mayor's office
Lord Bellborough's study
Farthing's Pottery

I agree totally with S&G - the walled scenarios are where it's at, and it was a shame the hatshop wasn't walled. Let's hope the rest of the interior scenarios are walled.
I'm not interested in any more of the remodels (I haven't bought any of them anyway) - but I agree that they are useful for new collectors, and no one is forcing anyone to buy them. I know the urge to have a complete collection is strong, but fight it people!

And I also agree, a signpost would be an excellent idea.

[Stars and garters]

Ooh, nice one CO, completely forgot about the Mintons' workshop. Just imagine a piece with Chippy and Nibs working away, tools hanging on the wall, little piles of sawdust in strategic places...

Drool!

Stars and garters

[Dan]

Thanks for your comments and as usual Im sure we will take them all on board.

I would however like to point out that we have never produced an item that we thought there was never a demand for and we have always been genuine to both the series, Gordon Murray and you our collectors.

As for the new Barney McGrew collectors club joining piece, it will serve better when seen in context with the new introductions later in the year. These probably won't be announced until July / August, but hopefully you can hang on until then.

Thanks
Dan

[Number 452]

Some more great ideas. However, the scenes and buildings would have to include the individual assocaiated with it, so yet again we get another Windy, etc etc. But great ideas all the same. After all that i have said, the sign post is a must.......... preferably about 6ft tall for my garden

[POPPY]

I don't care as long as they don't discontinue the beano & dandy range

[Marlinspike]

A 6ft stick sign-post for the garden would be a great idea. I don't know how popular they'd be but you could, for example, issue them as a limited edition of, say, 250.

If Harrop's felt this was outside their scope, they could always sub-contract their construction. Harrop's could then take a percentage of the purchase price & arrange it so that only Harrop club members could purchase them direct via Cinta (sorry Cinta!).

Sounds like a wizard wheeze. How about it Cinta?

[felixmum]

Great idea I will get all the new range soon and the ones in diffrent poses but what the hell you one life once and a my rate i am down hill fast.

:p felix.mew.to hot but like sun.mewcatnap.mew :D :)

P<S how nuch to join because mum want's to join clangers :)

[Cinta]

6ft sign post ............ uummmmmmmmm you never know :D

The new membership cost will be £18.00 for UK. Hopefully I will be sending you all the stuff soon :)