Museums

Megan wrote: All over the country? Is this the right time to try and resurrect VCF-UK? Or even VCF-Europe? Marvin replied: Hear, hear! Seriously, I think that some sort of permanently-installed VCF type locations, where volunteers could come and work on exhibits, and where (possibly) trade could be carried out, would be very useful. And as I said before, I am prepared to sponsor the UK one to the tune of quite a bit of money, _if_ enough people are committed that there is a chance of making it work. (Once it's got going, I think it should be self supporting from members' subscriptions and possibly trade commissions or visitors' donations, or even commercial sponsorship :-( , but I'm not optimistic enought to think that it would work that well from the start). Philip. PS A model for trade at a permanent VCF. I was introduced to it by my brother when we were both visiting my parents... Large building full of junk. Anyone can go in and browse, and ask prices, buy things, etc. The arrangement is: you have junk you want to sell. Take it in and say "I want X pounds for this widget." The staff either say, "fine" and put it on the shelves, or say "no thanks, we don't think that'll sell (or is legal, or whatever). When someone buys something, the owners of the "trading post" (as it is called) take a commission (I think 25%) and hand the rest to the seller. If it doesn't sell after a certain length of time, they ask the seller to reduce the price or take it away or whatever. P. PPS before anyone flames me for suggesting commercial sponsorship, it would be absolutely necessary to have strict rules like the committee vets all sponsors, no conditions of "must have machine Z on display", etc.