As regular readers of this blog will know, this year sees the fourth Weston on Trent Model Railway Show. I have had the honour of being the exhibition manager for the whole of that time, having originally come up with the idea for the show back in 2012. This show proved to be a success and, with the help of fellow RMWeb members and school staff, the event has continued to be successful throughout the past three years. It has raised over £2,700 for school funds, with the £900+ raised last year being invested in IPads for use in the classes. The three previous years have been very enjoyable and relatively stress free. Even the inaugural event, thrown together in just 9 months, was a very happy experience.

I suppose it had to happen! This year's show has simply not gone smoothly. Every month there seems to have been one set back or another. In my previous entry I mentioned the problem of traders withdrawing due to being double booked or due to their decision to cut back on the number of events they were doing. Now the problem seems to have spread to layouts. Since my last entry I have lost two layouts from the show roster. One exhibitor has had to pull out due to work commitments, whilst another withdrew because his wife was having an operation in the week leading up to the event. Both thoroughly legitimate reasons for withdrawing, and both exhibitors have promised to attend in 2016. However it does not help my stress levels! I think I am finally beginning to experience the negative side of show management!

Thankfully, as the title for this entry suggests, it is not all bad. The outstanding confirmation forms have started to drift in and more layouts have now been confirmed for the event. Another bonus came via one of our regular visitors. He contacted me with details of a layout he really likes and, after contacting the owner, this was promptly booked for this year's show. It may even bolster the planned "interactive room" which suffered as a result of one of the withdrawals.

And so with a month to go it is time to take a deep breath and take stock.

Currently the show has 16 layouts confirmed. I am waiting on another 4 or 5 layouts to send back their confirmations - but it does look like we are close to reaching my target of 20 layouts. With good luck and a following wind we may even exceed that total.

We have replaced the missing traders - but are still hoping to secure one more. They just seem to be very quiet at present and I am not taking that as a good sign. The demonstrations are gradually coming together too.

As I look more calmly at things it does look like we have a cracking show line up for 2015. There are old favourites returning in improved form and plenty of brand new layouts for the show too. Also there is a massive RMWeb turn out. I reckon that there will be at least 9, possibly 10, RMWeb members amongst the exhibitors - and it could be more... I am still trying to convince one more member to join us. This could be our biggest RMWeb turn out yet!

So come and join us on Saturday 14th November from 10.30am. This year's event is helping to raise funds to stock our new library space!

More news soon.