Well it’s been almost two months since the last model show at Easingwold. Withdrawal symptoms were definitely starting to set in. So it was with some excitement that 10 of us made the trip south to the Stoke Show. With the demise of the Milton Keynes show this is now our most southerly destination. Though organised by the Stoke Model Club it’s actually held closer to Stafford at the Staffordshire County showground. Primarily an agricultural showground it is a great venue, so long as you ignore the smell of livestock(just kidding really, it smells as fresh as daisies).
Some of us were so excited that we decided to set off a day earlier. The excitement must have reached fever pitch, as I managed to miss the turn off to stay on the A1 and we ended up going down the M1 instead. Not a problem as we end up at the same place anyway. Only we then ended up stuck in traffic somewhere around Sheffield. That’ll teach me to not plug in Google maps ‘cos I knew where I was going. Obviously not!
Arriving at the venue we were permitted entry so we could set up which made it so much easier. Set up complete, we added our few models to the table, hoping that it would be filled out by the rest of the gang in the morning. We headed off to the digs, but not before Gav decided to move his impressive Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle diorama. One of the turtles obviously didn’t want to be moved as he fell off the plinth right onto one of the closely positioned aircraft. Thankfully there wasn’t much damage and even more thankfully it wasn’t one of my aircraft, it was one of Gav’s. Minor damage to one of the doors that was easily passed off as “being removed for maintenance.”
Digs was your standard Premier Inn, but right next door was a pub, The Shire Horse. Popped in there for food and a couple of beers. Chris and I can heartily recommend the Signature Burger that had us drooling just reading the description. Gav plumped for the Wild Boar burger that was equally delicious. Puddings followed, well it would be rude not to, which was closely followed by a food coma! Next morning it was a lay in followed by a leisurely breakfast, while the others were up at the crack of sparrows and driving. Definitely the way to go.
The rest of the gang arrived, and the tables filled up quickly. Gav’s first purchase was some superglue to securely fasten down his errant turtle. A quick tour around the traders and the excitement for Chris suddenly went off the charts as he spotted one trader actually selling gundams. That doesn’t happen very often as Chris usually returns emptyhanded. Thankfully he only bought two kits, but Emma from the Keighley club couldn’t resist and bought 8!
Terry set his sights a little lower, an Airfix recovery set in the tombola and spent a small fortune trying to win it. Unfortunately he wasn’t impressed as he only came away with a jar of hand pickled jam(inside joke), a candle holder and a bottle of fizz! He was even less impressed when Gav said he had one in his stash that he could have!
The competition loomed high for several members and some top models were entered. Gav put a lot of effort into his Stuart tank which came away with a third place. Strangely his train diorama that he threw together came first in the same class! Don’t figure. John Tate also came away with a first place for his little Warrior. To add to Gav’s confusion someone decided that they liked the look of the lid from his box and decided to have it away. Maybe it was retaliation for winning with a railway diorama.
As the show drew to a close Hughie obviously decided that he needed to spend some more money, or, knowing Hughie, just spend some money! He was spotted sneaking in to a stall whilst simultaneously making sure all the moths in his wallet were asleep. Having assured himself that all was safe he hastily made his purchase but was caught red-handed coming out of the stall with his purchase.
The show over it was time to head north again. Journey home was uneventful though we did experience some torrential rain. A great show that was enjoyed by us all. Thankfully we only have to wait a couple of weeks to the next show at Kieghley.
And because I know at some point Andy will read this post, I hope the photos below will set his tapeworm off growling and send him off in search of food!
