Show Q&As

I’m sure many of you will already be aware that the country is currently in a Seasonal Vector Low Period (SVLP), which is one of the conditions we were anticipating and is necessary for us to be able to run the National Show with attendees from across the whole country.

In addition, there is currently a wider window available for carrying out any pre-movement testing that is required for herds in Restricted Zones (RZs) (subject to the SVLP remaining in force).  This testing can now be done within 21 days of the Show in conjunction with the Movement Licence application.

We are still in discussion with DEFRA with a specific request for a waiver of the requirement for pre-movement testing due to the unique nature of our event i.e. travel direct to the undercover event and then returning directly back to the home farm location.

However, as it stands herds in restricted zones will need to do the following prior to attending the show:
1) apply for a Specific (Movement) Licence
2) arrange for your show team to have pre-movement blood tests within 21 days of the show.  
In practice, this means that blood can be taken between 1st March and 14th March (allowing for up to 5 working days for the results to be returned).  Tests are available free of charge through UK Farmcare.

Before applying for your Specific Licence, you will need the following:

• the licensee’s address and contact details
• the address the animals are moving from and to (your CPH address to the Staffordshire County Showground)
• your county parish holding (CPH) number/s
• animal identification details – BAS Registration Number, Ear Tag Number and crucially microchip numbers, which must have been physically checked prior to leaving for the show)
• stock vehicle registration number and driver details

We will be providing another update before the end of February, including whether or not we have obtained a waiver for pre-movement testing and all the details you will need to complete the licence application

In the meantime, and in particular if you are in a Restricted Zone (RZ) then you must apply for a CPH Number. All herds who currently dont have a CPH are encouraged to apply for one now given that RZ boundaries continue to change (the latest being 14 Feb) and you may find you need one going forward.

Available to download below is our planning assumptions matrix for different Bluetongue restriction scenarios. Note that the model contains our interpretation of the government rules. If new information is recevied, this model will be updated.

We are currently in the top left hand box (A/C) and are ‘green’ for all herds to attend the show (provided licences and pre-movement testing are obtained by herds in restricted zones.)

Arrivals and check in of alpacas is between 09:00 and 12:00 on Friday 21st. If you have a long journey and would prefer to arrive on Thursday, this is available by appointment – please email nationalshow@bas-uk.com

We plan to start the judging at 15:00 on Friday 21st March. Arrival and check in for your alpacas will be between 09:00 and 12:00 and there will be an exhibitors meeting at approx 14:00.

Judging will start at 08:30 on both Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd

We aim to finish not later than 15:30 so that everyone can be on the road by 16:00. Please note that no departures are allowed until the show has officially been closed after the judging of the Supreme champions.

For general advice on how to prepare for the show, BAS Judge and experienced breeder Barbara Hetherington has written an excellent article for the 2025 Alpaca Yearbook titled ‘Show Preparation‘ (p26). This covers everything from working with your alpacas prior the show, checking their health, making the neccessary transport arrangements and preparing yourself – a highly recommended read!

Each pen comes with 2 tickets for dinners on Friday and Saturday night and use of the free shuttle bus to and from the Premier Inn hotels at North Stafford. If you need any additional tickets, these are available at a subsidised rate of £20 per adult and £10 per child (under 16) from Grassroots. (log in to the Pedigree Registry and select ‘National Show – extra tickets’ from the drop down menu)

If you’re looking for a hotel, we recommend the Premier Inns at North Stafford, Spitfire and Hurricane. They are less than 5 miles from the Showground and a free show shuttle bus will be running to and from the hotels across the weekend

A free shuttle service will be running between the Premier Inn hotels at North Stafford and the Showground in the morning and after judging is complete in the afternoon / evenings.

Q: How long is the journey?
A: The travel time between the hotels and showground is 15 – 20 minutes.
Q: How big is the bus?
A:The bus capacity is 40 people seated plus up to 25 standing, so a maximum of 65 people per journey. It is fully accessible and drops to the kerb for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
Q: Who can use the bus?
A: All exhibitors (use of buses is included in pen fees) and visitors who purchase a weekend pass
Q: Where will the bus stop and pick up at the Showground?
A: Right outside Bingley Hall – so no distance to walk!

Yes – you can bring a campervan, caravan or tent and stay on site free of charge. Water and accessible toilets and showers are available. Please email to confirm you wish to stay on site nationalshow@bas-uk.com

If you’d like to discuss any special dietary requirements, please email Teri White

All exhibitors will receive an email from Grassroots to request their menu choices for the Saturday Night dinner. Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements – if you’d like to discuss options please email Teri White. You will also be asked if you plan to stay for Friday Night supper and if you plan to use the shuttle buses to help us plan food quantities and bus capacity. (If you have a Weekend Pass, you will also receive an email requesting the same information.)

Friday night is a casual evening with a help yourself buffet of chilli (meat & veggie options) with rice, chips and cheese. The Bingley Arms pub (in the main hall) will be open for drinks and the shuttle bus will run back to the Premier Inn hotels at 20:30, 21:30 and 22:30 if you’d like to take the opportunity to have a few drinks :). You don’t need to choose your food options in advance but it would be great to know if you plan to join in so that we can get the food quantities right. You can do this on the email that you will receive from Grassroots. Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements – if you’d like to discuss options please email Teri White.

The 200 seat restaurant in Bingley Hall has been designed to cater for the vast numbers of visitors large events attract. There are two serveries sited at opposite ends of the restaurant. One offers a choice of full meals as well as an extensive range of hot and cold snacks, the other offers a range of fast food to eat in or take away.

In addition, a ‘pavement style’ cafe has been created on the balcony outside the restaurant.

The cafe and restaurant will be open throughout the event during the day, starting with breakfast.

Two bar areas are located in Bingley Hall, one on the balcony and the other, the Bingley Arms, on the ground floor.

There is step free access to all Exhibition Halls, Conference and Banqueting facilities.

Toilet Facilities
Unisex Disabled toilet facilities are available inside Bingley Hall adjacent to the Bingley Hall Farm Shop

Access to Bingley Hall Balcony
A passenger lift within Bingley Hall allows disabled visitors access to the balcony.

The Shuttle Bus between the showground and Premier Inn hotels in Stafford North is fully accessible and drops to the kerb for wheelchairs and / or pushchairs to load.

If you wish to come for the whole show you are very welcome and we would also like to invite you to join exhibitors at the Friday and Saturday night dinners. We recommend booking in to the Premier Inn hotels at Stafford North and purchasing a Weekend pass. This will give you entry to the show on Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday, evening dinner tickets and use of the free shuttle bus service to and from the hotels. There is a cloakroom available at the showground for luggage if you travel straight to the venue on Friday.

Tickets for day visitors will be available on the door but are available to book online in advance at a 20% discount!

Tickets can be bought daily for Saturday and Sunday on the door or in advance for a 20% discount

Adults (16+) £10 per day, Children (5-15) £5, Family (2 adults & 2 children) £25

You are very welcome to join the Saturday Night dinner by purchasing a subsidised ticket for £20. This will also give you access to the shuttle bus service running between the Showground and the Premier Inn hotels at North Stafford. Please email nationalshow@bas-uk.com to arrange if you do not have access to Grassroots. If you only wish to come to the Friday Night supper, you don’t need to purchase a ticket but we would be grateful if you could let us know on the same email to help us plan numbers.

For visitors to the show this year, alongside all the excitement of the Halter Show, Fleece Show and Fibre Shows, we have the ‘World of Alpacas’.

Immerse yourself in ‘all things alpaca’ as you explore stalls offering a range of alpaca related products. From soft and warm alpaca fibre clothing to unique alpaca themed gifts, you’ll find it here. Don’t miss the chance to meet knowledgeable experts who can provide valuable insights into alpaca care, breeding, and more.

Taking place in our third ring, there will be regular, fun demonstrations on alpaca handling and training and performances across the agility course. There will also be the opportunity to try a taster of alpaca walking, getting ‘up close and personal’ with the alpacas and, of course, posing for the obligatory selfies.

In the craft zone, there will be alpaca themed colouring, sticking fleece and felt bracelet making – for children and grown-ups too.

A professional alpaca shearer will be on hand to demonstrate how to make the most of your alpaca’s fleece, explaining how different areas of the animal produce fleece suitable for different types of project. To bring it to life, you’ll be able to have a good feel of different types of fleece in our ‘sensory tubs’.

One of the country’s specialist alpaca mills will be on hand to guide you through taking that fleece, skirting it and spinning it into yarn and you’ll also be able to see some carding, hand spinning demonstrations, using wheels and drop spindles, and weaving.

Whether you simply love alpacas or hope to own some one day, whether you are young or simply young at heart we aim to have something to entertain and inspire. 

The National Show Committee is made up of dedicated show enthusiasts who volunteer their time to organise the National Show. The team members each bring different skills and many combined years of both organising and attending shows. They work to a terms of reference and budget that is agreed with the BAS Board and hope to put on a world class halter show and celebration of ‘all things alpaca’.

Michael Henderson – Chair, Contracts & Logistics michael.alpacas@gmail.com
Wendy Scott – Vice Chair & Comms tomandwendy@darkskyalpacas.com
Ian Mitchell – Treasurer ianmit@aol.com
Duncan Pullar – Contracts, Trade Stands & Logisitics ceo@bas-uk.com
Tom Scott – Sponsorship & Bluetongue Policy Co-ordination tomandwendy@darkskyalpacas.com
Ken Freivokh – Board Liaison & Layout alpacas@freivokh.com
Iain Sharp – Audio Visual iain.c.sharp@gmail.com
Mary-Jo Smith – Halter Show maryjo@bozedown-alpacas.co.uk
Julia Corrigan-Stuart – Fleece Show julia@csalpacas.co.uk
Alison Wiseman – Fibre Zone alison.wiseman@googlemail.com
Shirley Betttinson – World of Alpaca shirley@toftalpacastud.com
Barbara Hetherington – Stud Auction & Hospitality barbara@beckbrowalpacas.co.uk
Teri White – Social Media & Hospitality teri201623@yahoo.co.uk
Harley Laver – Web Site & Stud Auction harley@churchfieldalpacas.co.uk
Harry Edwards – Show reception and visitor entry harry.mulberry@me.com