Lee Posted August 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 i dont know where you get the time. ny shoes only took 15 hours, not long really. hope you get 1st prize! brilliant! I'm not sure I have the raw skills (comparing to Kenneth's shoes of last year) to win, but felt I have the attention to detail often missing on the skills I do have, so anywhere in the top 6 is a better placing than I had expected from a 1st time entry. Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithm Posted August 27, 2009 Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 Well done mate, you have to be in it to win it (or come close ) =D> =D> =D> Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kobblers Posted August 27, 2009 Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 Hey! Nice one buddy Rick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted September 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2009 Well I finally came in 2nd, not bad for a first attempt! congratulations to Peter Smith on his win. I had some productive conversations with Peter, two of the lads from Timpson & a handful of forum members that helped me draw conclusions on how best to improve should I ever enter again. I already realise that whilst I raised my game considerably to get to P2 the shoes I entered are a long way of where I feel my ultimate ability could lie. Congratulations to all those who made it through to the "table" it was hard to choose between any off them. I will post up some images of the shoes in the next few days, today I brought the wrong camera lead to work! Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Posted September 14, 2009 Report Share Posted September 14, 2009 Congratulations Lee, 1% thats close. well done mate =D> =D> =D> Time lapse video made me feel quite nauseous, too fast :-& :-& :-& need to lie down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stutheshoe Posted September 14, 2009 Report Share Posted September 14, 2009 well done lee =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted October 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 I've just added another 36 images from the competition this year sent to us from David Eyre. http://www.shoerepairer.info/index.php? ... ew&idev=18 Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 Many congratulations Lee, Does it not give you the same Buzz as "Punch" did all those years ago? Having seen the Grooving and Stitching perhaps next year you will win if you can get the Stitches in track Heard comments that the condition of the shoes got the place, now you know just as before with Punch, presentation is as important as technical ability. To those who came beyond 2nd place...... get a decent pair of shoes. Argh.. you post some good analogies, keep it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 I think the Punch comp was a different thing Hugh. More based on the presentation of your business and customer relations rather than just the repair presentation although that was important too, otherwise it wouln't have been a comp that relied on customer votes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted October 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 its a different type of buzz! the Punch Competition was never highly recognised or highly respected, but as others on here will testify it was extremely hard to win! I first entered the punch competition in 1994 & spent the next 6 years gearing EVERYTHING I did in the shop towards that competition. On one occasion the judge commented on low down shadowing because my lights where high up, I even lowered these by 2' & put in double tube fittings. Small things like this done over many years to improve to a standard to where I won, but more importantly it made me do things to improve the shop beyond a level that I would have bothered. In the shop at 11pm the night before the visit having spent all day preparing & leaving the shop "ready" was a huge BUZZ! the JR competition was different, in that it was done over a period of time. No drama, no panic. Great to improve your skills & I was more than happy with the result. Having seen the Grooving and Stitching perhaps next year you will win if you can get the Stitches in track It was easy to pick holes & laugh at the repairs on display, None where perfection in my opinion. I started my shop with only 2.5 years experience in a heel bar type environment, I have never had a team around me to advice on how to win or generational skills passed down a family business. Mine was a fresh 1st attempt at a competition type repair, mistakes where inventable. Being the highest placed independent with skills I've learned & self taught along the way was incredibly pleasing. Heard comments that the condition of the shoes got the place, now you know just as before with Punch, presentation is as important as technical ability.To those who came beyond 2nd place...... get a decent pair of shoes. Its not the shoes its what you do with them, Mine had a hole right through the sole & a couple of digs out of the uppers around the heel, I sanded down the uppers & re-dyed them to take out the blemishes before polishing them every day for months! you could have given me the shitest shoe out there & I'd have been placed in the same position. I have formulated a plan of campaign for next time round, now all I need is some shoes! anyone got a pair of size 9/10 brogues they don't want? Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Posted October 9, 2009 Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 =D> =D> =D> =D> Well said that man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Well put Lee =D> =D> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted November 3, 2009 Report Share Posted November 3, 2009 Why not use the same shoes then? I used 1 pair for over half a dozen entries over the years, twice Re-Welted. In a way this comp is very much like the "Punch" one, it requires a lot of effort and thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted November 21, 2009 Report Share Posted November 21, 2009 Just been looking in depth at the Gallery photos of the entries, 1 pair stood out from the rest, 1 pair was different from the norm. I kept looking at them hoping for a close up and was going to ask if anyone had any info... then as I was nearing the last pics a full blown pic appeared with the contestants name. The name was Lee Ffrench. I'm impressed and can now see how the placing was well deserved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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