Head of Winterbourne Lee Hale reflects on the recent Timeless Toys event and how he and others find the hobby of collecting, restoring and repairing toy and model steam engines a breath of fresh air.

We all now know that engaging with creative hobbies improves our mental health and general wellbeing. Over the last four decades horticulture has been a hobby as well as a career – but I also have other ways of escaping including the restoration, repair and collecting of toy and model steam engines. It’s my ‘geeky’ hobby that allows me to switch off and refocus.

I spend hours tinkering in my garage or at my desk at home. I also spend too much time online looking for rare and exclusive models that can still be found for bargain prices, if you know what you are looking for. It gives me a great sense of wellbeing and perhaps more important than anything else I get to spend time with other like-minded folk.

There is no better place than the Midlands to celebrate the UK’s industrial heritage and although the models and toys I spend hours poring over are just that – toys! – they do, of course, originate from the often, vast industrial machines that pumped energy into the Industrial Revolution. For all the faults of that period of history, steam made the UK one of the most productive and innovative nations on the planet. Much of the manufacturing of that period declined in the last quarter of the twentieth century but the quality of engineering, design and production was unequalled and should be celebrated. It is why Birmingham exists.

The like-minded folk I mentioned attend an annual Timeless Toys event at Winterbourne every August, the event has now been running for 14 years and exhibitors come from all over the country to show their wonderful machines and discuss the basic method of power that propels toy boats, mill engines, tiny traction engines and more.

I am writing this short article just after the 2026 steam event which was a wonderful day with kind weather and good visitor numbers, it’s lovely to hear the feedback from attendees who all seem genuinely interested, but also from the exhibitors, who spend a great deal of time creating exhibits that will delight the young and old alike. The benefits are clear and I’m truly so fortunate to spend time around people that dedicate their own time and money to share their hobby and spread a little joy.