TLDR - Had the best time at the FTT in Harrogate two weekend ago. Bought a load of ECI, and was very happy with my MB. 

People had travelled for hours and slept in vehicles. The cafe also used LC tableware to serve, which was such a cute touch. The ever was organised well and the staff were amazing. It must’ve been hard to deal with so many people. 

I was lucky to get a VIP ticket for the first slot 9-10:30! The queue for cars to enter was massive and the foot queue was alive with anticipation. The queuing was managed well and the staff were perky and cheerful. I was in and out in an hour to avoid the long queues for the tills and the MBs. It was overwhelming to see so many items, and navigating the trolley was hard at times, but that’s to be expected at events like this. 

Armed with a list and budget, I began my hunt. The focus was on ECI, and perhaps the odd stoneware or rare piece. I don’t stick to a colour, not quite a rainbow collector as there are colours that aren’t quite my taste, but items have to meet my cooking needs. 

Colours - I was on the look out for Berry and Chambray, but they didn’t have any. There was Caribbean and Sage. Spotted the Blue Bell immediately as I haven’t seen that colour available in the UK. I also put things in my trolley and then evaluated in the queue. Stoneware had some colours I hadn’t seen before- Water green was pretty! 

Variety of products - There was a lot of ECI on offer, but it was mostly one size and colour of each piece. There were no ECI pumpkin cocottes or braises that I could see, no petal braisers either. 

There was a lot of stoneware items from Japan (perhaps Singapore as well?) but I had reached by budget by the time I got to those aisles. There were little plates in the shape of fish, cottages and I think I glimpsed the fruit cocottes. Alas, another file for the fruit and veg shaped things. 

A whole section of stainless steel pots and pans, some in bundles. A couple of aisles for utensils, accessories, and novelty items.

There was a section for non-discounted Alpine and Travel/To Go products. 

They had engraving available free of charge  for the To Go things. 

Swap shop - After opening my MB and loading the car I drove to the swap shop location. It was really nice chatting to people and seeing how things worked. Some people got Christmas boxes and others also got colour matched boxes. There were few things I haven’t seen before, like a biscuit barrel. Some people had brought items from home to swap as well. Pumpkins were on most people’s wish lists. I didn’t see anyone have one in their MB, but there may have been some. I saw a few pale pink ECIs without the raised rings on the lid in the MBs,  and would be interested to know what they are. 

I was so lucky to get the Christmas stoneware set for nothing. A very generous soul gave them to me when I walked by and offhandedly exclaimed how cute they were. I had planned to buy something with a seasonal theme but did not see anyone in the hall. Very lucky! 

I understand that there were some payment issues in the later slots on Saturday, and totally see how the experience would have been marred by that disruption and disappointment. I hope those who were affected were able to buy what they wanted or another suitable resolution. 

Overall, I stuck to my guns and only bought ECI. I was very happy with the MB. Very pleased that I got a neutral colour that I liked, rather than a colour that might not have been my taste. It was a long day, I was full of anticipation and was very tired on my way back home. I had a great first FTT experience. I won’t do another one for a few years…we’ll see how that pans out. 

First pic is what I bought, and second pic is the MB. 

I’ve done a cost breakdown for anyone that is interested and/or nerdy.

FTT Harrogate Haul