Photos courtesy of Rob Tysall – Pro Photography,
It’s not always great to find there’s a queue ‘a mile long’ when planning on attending an event. But when it’s the queue for the Spring Miniatura Show no one minds at all. For the team at Miniatura it’s a welcome sight to see lots of people queuing and waiting for the doors to open. For the exhibitors, there’s nothing more heartening than knowing streams of people are waiting eagerly to see what’s new. And for the visitors queuing, it all makes for a great buzz of excitement as they anticipate seeing some amazing dolls house miniatures on the other side of those doors.
The Spring Miniatura at Stoneleigh was another great success. Show number 97 and there was a great atmosphere around the hall from start to finish. Everyone we spoke to remarked on Stoneleigh being a much better venue than the NEC. Cosier, more welcoming, excellent facilities, easy parking and easy access to set up stands. Add to that the large and spacious café facilities and wide choice of food and it really couldn’t be better.
As people queued, Miniatura’s writer and photographer, Ann and Rob, chatted with some of the visitors, finding out what they were particularly looking forward to. Here’s some of their comments: Ann and Lorraine had travelled all the way from Northern Ireland and were picking up orders from Petite Properties amongst others. They have been attending Miniatura since it was held in the Motorcycle Museum.
Having travelled from East Yorkshire were Elaine and Chris, who had also been to the show many times, and had also got items on order from Petite Properties and Mini McGregor. Back home they have 14 houses in 1:12 and 1:48 scale and couldn’t wait to get browsing for more furnishings. They both agreed that this new venue for the show had given Miniatura it’s old feel back again from many moons ago. “It feels comfortable and well arranged,” they commented.
Mr and Mrs Tritchett had come up from Portsmouth and were staying at a nearby hotel. I asked Mrs Tritchett what she was most looking forward to, to which she replied: “Spending lots of money!” And with a cheeky smile at her ‘other half’ added: “His!”
Another couple of friends were looking forward to browsing the second-hand goods, which I gather would be on the Cancer Research stand run by Pat Cutforth which does an amazing job in raising money for the charity.
We bumped into Marie Wood, known for many years as Mary Myrtle Miniatures who has been coming to Miniatura for the last 18 years. She’s still very much into her 1:12 and 1:24 scale dolls houses, while her daughter makes lifelike re-born dolls. Marie was eager to explore the show, saying, “We are craftpeople and we love to see what other people are doing.”
Newcomer Kim Koniotes withe her modern kitchens
Not everyone in the queue were ‘old hands’ at Miniatura. Irene and David Sheffield were attending for the very first time. David had been making a dolls house for his granddaughter and one of his suppliers told him about Miniatura. “We didn’t know about it,” said Irene. “So, we thought we’d better come along and see for ourselves. We can’t wait to go in and start looking around.”
They didn’t have too long to wait. On the dot of 10am, the doors opened and the 97th Miniatura Show welcomed the start of 2,000 visitors into the Stoneleigh NAEC Hall. Andy and his son Will were there greeting everyone, just as Muriel and Bob did before them – a tradition that’s continued for the last 40 years.
Ninety-three stands were brimming with miniatures of every style and theme imaginable. Plus there were some wonderful demonstration stands providing workshops and interest. (More close ups on these in coming blogs). From our point of view, we were able to set up our little photographic studio and did lots of ‘running around’ borrowing some gorgeous pieces to take shots of. We couldn’t get to everyone, so please stop us next time and let us know if there’s miniatures you’d particularly like photographing.
Pat Cutforth’s Cancer Research UK stand at the show was incredibly busy. Later we asked Pat how it had all gone to which she told us: “We were all thrilled with the amount we made at Miniatura: £8,452 sent to Cancer Research UK! It is hard to believe when so much of what we sell is tiny and inexpensive. However, this is greatly boosted by the occasional donation of fine handmade items from another stallholder. Donations are the lifeblood of the fundraising — along with all the help with pricing, serving behind the table for two days, setting up on Friday (this takes at least fifteen man-hours), and of course the kindness of Andy Hopwood. He gives us the huge table, free admission for our helpers and a terrific amount of encouragement. Buyers also contribute a huge amount – they are so happy when they find a bargain, but always spending generously to support this charity.”
Pat continued, “The results for this Miniatura are a record. I started the Marlborough Dolls House Fair in 1987 and we made £1,642. Twelve years later we held the last Fair, raising £19,100, then took our remaining stock to Miniatura. Over all these years we have made £378,786 for Cancer Research UK.”
What a fantastic result – and in fact, a fantastic two days. And judging by everyone we spoke to – visitors and exhibitors alike, a thoroughly good time was had by all.
Individual miniatures featured in this blog are:
LTW Miniatures – quilts; Ella Rose Miniatures – cakes; Raptoor Craft – furniture; Modern Kitchens, kitchen unit; Amanspeak Miniatures – butchers’s Bench; Miniature Needlework Soc – Chaise longue. Photos by Rob Tysall-Pro Photography.
The Miniatura team have already started planning for the next show in the Autumn. So make a note in your diaries that this will be on 30th September and 1st October 2023.