The West Midland Military Show

Thank you for visiting the WMMS website. Hopefully it will contain all the basic information about where we are, and who will be attending.

The WMMS is now in its 35th year and is the largest one day show in the midlands area. The 2010 show attracted over 1000 visitors and participants.

The show consists of a trade fair of around 45+ stands, 25+ demonstration and participation games. We also have a good military modelling attendance along with various re-enactment groups

You will find a list of traders and demo games etc elsewhere on the site. These will be updated at regular intervals during the new year as late traders are confirmed, and layout plans are finalised.

Aldersley Leisure Village is a modern venue which caters for numerous sports, including, football, hockey, athletics, cycling and small bore rifle shooting. It has also been chosen as a training facility for the 2012 Olympic Games.

The main hall is one of the largest in the Midlands allowing good access, and ensuring a comfortable amount of room for all our visitors on a single level. Disabled access is excellent. There is a baby changing room for our very young visitors!

Parking is free. Hot drinks and snacks are available in the foyer. The licensed bar will also serve food from 11:00am. Please see your show day programme for up to date information on services available.

WMMS: A Brief History

The West Midland Military Modelling Show origins stretch back into the 1970s. Alumwell has been home to wargamers and modellers for considerable time. During the 1970s David Bickley and Phil Robinson steadily built the Show up into one of the Midlands most popular one-day events. From the mid-1980s to baton was passed to Paul Yates and David Jarman who continued to expand the show as its popularity grew.

However as with most things trouble was not far away. By 2000 the Alumwell Centre was suffering from under-funding and becoming more and more run down each year. Council cutbacks meant that the centre could not be opened on Sundays, and that the bar facilities were removed. By 2004 it was clear that the Show in its present form could no longer take place at Alumwell.

There were only two clear options. Either to bring an end to the Show, or find a good alternative venue. After serious deliberation the Club decided to continue the tradition and to try and find a new home. If nothing suitable was available then it was agreed that the event would cease.

Fortunately Aldersley Leisure Village in Wolverhampton looked a good prospect. A large modern venue with better than average facilities, not too far from the motorway network. So it was with a deep breath that the 2005 Show moved to Aldersley.

The event is now firmly established as the biggest one day show in the West Midlands. Total attendance is now over the 1000 mark once again. We still have scope to expand and improve the show year on year. So hopefully 2011 will have new and more varied exhibits, and more traders for you.

Next years Show will be on Sunday 13th March 2011