Show Director Rick Turnock and I visited Stoneleigh Park yesterday to meet with venue staff and colleages from Warners. The principal purpose of the visit was to finalise the hall plan, clearing the way for Warners to confirm arrangements with traders regarding their space requirements at the show on 25th April. The plan was approved with minor changes so these discussions should start soon.
Additional trading space will exist at the 2026 show, recognising the interest in the event from both established and new traders. Where possible, the large trade stands will be offered the same locations as last year, making it easier for visitors to navigate the show. All the other usual attractions will be present: Member to Member, Model of the Year, the Grand Draw and the Association hub will be in the same corner of the hall as last year; there will be 11 layouts, including Gauge One Anglia Roads, Dixon Green, Much Grumblyn, featuring 32mm & 45mm narrow gauge running, Ridgmont and the Modular Layout. The catering unit inside the main hall was popular last year and will return in the same place. Strollers Cafe will offer a similar selection to last year and will be accessible to visitors from 09:00 so they can carb-up before entering the show at 09:30. Blue Badge parking will be outside in front of Strollers Cafe as it was last year and we’ll be operating the same pay-on-the-day/pay-in-advance entry arrangements which worked well in the past.
The show should look and feel very much like it did last year. Warners are organising the trade stands and will check traders in during setup. Other arrangements for traders will be much as in 2025. The Association will steward the event, with Warners and venue staff active participation, and we’ll continue to deploy “floor walkers”, to help visitors during their visit to the show. Regrettably Chief Steward Stuart Timms has had to step down for personal reasons, so the appeal for stewards will come from Rick Turnock following the same processes as used for previous shows. This appeal will start next week. Chairman Alan Finch will appeal for a new Chief Steward in next month’s issue of SMT, but if you’re interested in the role, don’t wait for SMT, please contact either Alan or Rick at chairman@16mm.org.uk or show.director@16mm.org.uk.
There is still much to do before we deliver another enjoyable show, but the pieces are now falling into place to make this happen. If you want to be part of this, make sure that Saturday 25th April 2026 is in your diary!
Alan Regan, Association Liaison for the 2026 National Show