National 2026 Event
National 2026 Event
Thursday 30 July to Monday 3 August 2026
Chesterfield Panthers R.U.F.C.
Dunston Road, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 9BF
What a fantastic event! But it is all over now for this year. News about next year’s National will be shared in due course when the plans are confirmed.
Below is a quick summary blog from the event, with the event details below.
Event Blog and Photographs
Wednesday 29 July – The Setup
Toilet blocks, showers, the marquee, Rally Control and many other facilities are being set up this afternoon. Most of the areas are marked out on the grass and with tapes. Water supplies, power and many of the operational aspects are being set up.
The toilet trailers are remarkably “posh”, and arranged right behind the marquee for ‘convenience’.
As the photo above shows, the marquee is basically up – it just needs the lights, carpet, tables and chairs to make it look ‘Impressive’ and ready for use tomorrow.
(Tent providers putting up the Spares Tent in the main field)
The Club Spares tent is up and Bob is getting sorted ready for the anticipated sales during the weekend.
Systems are up and running: Rally Control is connected to the internet at least!
The Clubhouse Lounge area is all ready for us to use. The bar will be open at the times listed in the “Details” section below. Lots of comfortable low, mid and higher bar-stools for us to use.
With most of the pre-preparations completed, and plans checked for tomorrow’s opening day, the organisers and ‘helper-teams’ managed to find some relaxation time in the evening to have a beer and catch up with the news.
In the distance we heard another Imp, but nobody else was expected this evening. It was a nice surprise to have a lovely pale blue Mark 1 Imp park up, one that we didn’t recognise. ______, A local Imp owner (currently a non-member but very interested in joining the club) had seen our Imps around today and had followed us to the Rugby Club. He was ‘Impressed’ by the growing collection of cars so far and was amazed what we have planned for the weekend here.
Daniel managed to start the car using the crank handle starter. How many Imps can boast the ability to do that?
The moon will be full tonight and will shine down on the dozen or so Imps in the field. Tomorrow will see about a hundred pre-booked members arrive. We expect some non-members, as well as several more members, booking in over the weekend.
Thursday 30 July – And here it all begins!
There is, as you’d imagine, a lot to set up and configure to get an event like this off the ground and working seamlessly. Rally Control is a busy place this morning. Goodie bags are being stuffed, wrist bands sorted, the booking-in system checked and team training for the payment system and routines provided.
The Spares Tents are being stocked up, organised and items all checked ready for sales over the next few days. Large body panels through to small grommets – there is lots to choose from. Members get the best prices!
12 O’clock marked the start of the event and there was a steady flow of arrivals to the site. Rally Control opened, the booking-in team did their work, and the various marshals helped keep things going smoothly.
The “arrival car park” area helped avoid an actual queue but, with the efficiency of everyone on duty there wasn’t a queue at all.
Some of the early arrivals parked up in the ‘arrivals car park’ while they check in at Rally Control.
The upper field is filling up today. There is a lot of space for camping at this site, no need to crush tightly together at all.
The middle field, nearest the marquee, has lots of space free ready to welcome those who will be arriving tomorrow and Saturday.
There has been a steady flow of new arrivals this afternoon and the sense of anticipation for the event kicking off tomorrow is building.
As the day moves in to the evening most of us are using the club house and spaces around our tents. Evening meals were on offer from the club house. And the bar was open too.
As the moon rises later in the evening a calmness spreads across the site. Tomorrow we look forward to some drive-outs and visits to local attractions. Further updates to follow….
Friday 31 July – Day One
The marquee is now fully set up for this evening’s entertainment. It looks rather empty just now this morning but by the time many of us turn up for the children’s fancy dress and the ‘open mic’ / karaoke events in the evening the space will come to life.
These two dogs are well known to many Imp Club members. Roxi and Anna are here this weekend and help keep a keen watch on the site for security.
During the morning many more trader stalls have been set up, full of Imp parts and other related items for perusing. Keen-eyed Imp owners have picked up some good bargains already. Buying items here means you can take a look at the bits and save postage on the purchase.
The famous crooked spire of the Chesterfield Cathedral is unique. Some of us took a trip to the city for part of today’s wanderings.
Inside the majestic space is something to behold.
Others took part in one of the two suggested tour routes. One goes north and includes Castleton, the reservoirs, Bakewell and surrounding areas. The southern route includes Matlock and Matlock Bath. We don’t arrange “convoys” of course, so instead we have printed tour route guidance sheets to follow and small groups of cars did tend to stick together.
We do rather like a photo stop opportunity and here, parked along the main road through Matlock, we found just the right location. We had an hour, as per parking restrictions, to pop along to see the town of Matlock, look at the river and to enjoy a fish & chips lunch. We lost count of the number of fish & chip shops here – at least nine is the best guess, but could have been eleven, all in about half a mile of town ‘high street’.
Whilst enjoying our lunch we heard a familiar warble-whistle of a steam traction engine. This fine engine trundled along the main road with it’s accompanying wagon. Heads turned, hands waived and (predictably) the engine crew delighted the onlookers with more toots and whistles.
Evening meals this evening needed to be pre-booked during the morning. Today’s dishes include fish & chips and chilli con carne.
Tales told, stories shared, dreams expressed and ideas outlined of restorations, purchases, sales and so-forth. All about Imps of course.
After our evening meal the entertainment began in the marquee. The DJ provided the songs, backing tracks and coordinated some indoor ‘kart racing’ for the children.
Saturday 1 August – More fun and places to visit
This morning began for many of us by taking part in the other of the two tour routes. The northern route included a trip up alongside the reservoirs to start with and a stop at the Traveller’s Rest near Bamford.
From the pub stop, we continued through Castleton and then up the mighty Winnats Pass. Cutting back south, around through some beautiful Derbyshire countryside, we then stopped briefly at the viewpoint above the old Monsal railway viaduct at Monsal Head.
This tour has taken us through open countryside, towns and villages. Our cars – at least for the mostpart – ran faultlessly. There was a brief stop for a little ‘adjustment’ but that didn’t delay us much at all. Today’s tour was about 55 miles up some steep hills and down pretty dales.
There were about forty five cars out on this tour today. Each of us had our own route to follow so obviously not arranged as a convoy. At times there were a few of us together and we made the most of opportunities for photo stops.
Evening entertainment included a fancy dress focus – this year’s theme is the 70’s and 80’s. Costumes were found buried in our drawers and cupboards as well as purchased for the occasion from charity shops. All good fun!
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The DJ provided us with tunes from the 70’s and 80’s of course, blended with songs from other decades too. Some of us (Daniel) were remarkably good at singing along – these old songs are surprisingly well known.
The agreement is of course that we are quiet and respectful of others at the camp site, especially towards the end of the evening. This fancy sticker highlights the good nature and mindfulness of all of us at the event.
Sunday 2 August – Imps Display and Awards
Monday 3 August – Pack-up Day
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Event Information Index
- Booking and Arrival
- Location Details and Facilities
- Merchandise and Regalia
- Day-by-Day Plans
- Activities and Attractions
Nigel’s three Imps, all ready lined up at the National
Booking and Arrival
Advance-booking for Imp Club Members is now closed but Rally Control will be open during “office hours” to welcome additional visitors.
Members and Non-members are welcome at the Event but will need to pay full price on arrival at Rally Control. Membership numbers will be checked on arrival so please help to keep Rally Control’s workload to a minimum by knowing your Membership Number. Details on what Club membership offers, and how to join, can be found here.
Imp 2026 Enquiry
Three early birds meet up in the south to head up to Chesterfield on Wednesday
Event Details
The organisers would like to welcome you to The Imp Club National 2026.
Some of you will remember Imp 2012 at Cromford near Matlock in Derbyshire and the beautiful countryside we had on our doorstep. This year we are again on the outskirts of the very same area known as ’The Peak District’. We would like you to visit this breathtaking location again and also visit some new places you won’t have seen before.
To give you a flavour of what we have in store we have Chatsworth House which we wholeheartedly recommend with its magnificent rooms and beautiful gardens. Castleton famous for its many caves which are open for visitors to explore. On the way out of Castleton is the Winnats pass a very steep incline carved out of limestone during the ice age. Eyam a small village made famous for the plague of 1665. Bakewell very well known for the Bakewell pudding shop. The Derwent reservoir again made famous by 617 squadron the home of the Lancaster bomber in the second world war. Last but not least the legendary Chesterfield Crooked Spire.
Our hosts for the National ‘Chesterfield Panthers RUFC’ wish to express their warmest of welcomes and have worked with us to ensure you have a memorable time.
Toilets and Showers
Clubhouse:
Inside the clubhouse there are six separate toilet and shower compartments with lockable doors. These can also be used for any disabled persons. These will be open from 7am.
Trailers:
Outside near the clubhouse there is a trailer with six separate shower compartments open 24hrs. Also in the same location is a trailer with six separate unisex toilet compartments open 24hrs.
Portable units:
There are 9 portable toilets and 1 disabled toilet at different locations on the camping area.
Bar and Catering
The team at The Rugby Club will be offering a variety of food options. Breakfast served from 8am – 10am will be either a full breakfast, with tea/coffee, or a breakfast roll of either bacon or sausage (A fried egg optional).
Evening meals served from 5pm – 7pm with a choice of two options. (Gluten free and vegetarian available on prior request). Tickets will be sold during breakfast for that particular evening.
On Sunday the kitchen will be open from 12 o’clock midday serving snacks, tea/coffee and cold drinks. In the evening a full Sunday dinner will be available between 5pm and 7pm.
The Bar:
The bar will be open Thursday / Friday / Saturday from 5.30pm to 11.30pm.
Sunday from 12 o’clock midday to 11pm serving a range of beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks.
Both cash and card payment accepted.
Event Merchandise
Event Merchandise is available to pre-order/pre-pay when booking your Event place. Options include the usual mug and t-shirt but this year we include a hodie and a hat. Both the t-shirt and the hodie have printed on the back the list of the previous National Events.
If you have any queries relating to this Event then please contact the National Event 2026 Organisers using the dedicated Enquiry form below.
Day-by-day planned activities:
Thursday 30 July:
We welcome to members arriving today:
- 12:00pm • Rally Control opens
- 7:00pm • Catch-up with friends in the Bar and Marquee
Friday 31 July:
- 10:00am • Depart for the Scenic tour
- 7:30pm to 11:30pm • Children’s fancy dress in the Marquee followed by games for children and the young at heart (hosted by Andy Jones), Karaoke and music by D. J. Rick
Saturday 1 August:
- 10:00am • Depart for the Scenic tour
- 7:30pm to 11:30pm • Fancy dress in the Marquee (60’s & 70’s theme) with music by D. J. Rick
Sunday 2 August:
- 9:00am to 10:30am • line up for the Show and Shine
- 10:30am until 12pm • voting (hand your voting slips to Rally Control)
- 1:00pm to 2:30pm • claim your raffle prize in the Bar Area (prizes are pre-drawn this year to save time)
- 2:30pm • Presentations & Speeches in the Marquee followed by the Rosemary Smith Trophy presentation
- 8:00pm • The Quiz in the Marquee
Monday 3 August:
- Pack up and go home day!
- 12:00pm – Site locked up Wishing you a safe journey home and thank you for joining us this year.
Local places to visit
The are dedicated runs out to include some of these places on separate sheets to be found in your goody bag provided when you sign in for the event.
There are so many lovely places within easy reach of the Rugby Club base. Here is a short list of a few places.
- Derwent Dam Visitor Centre (21 Miles) S33 0AQ
- Castleton (18 Miles) S33 8WP
- Eyam (12 Miles) S32 5QH
- Matlock Bath (14 Miles) DE4 3NS
- Great British Car Journey (25 miles) DE56 2HE
- Bakewell (13 Miles) DE45 1BT
- Chatsworth House (10 Miles) DE45 1PP
- Crich Tramway Museum (16 Miles) DE4 5DP
- Barrow Hill Roundhouse – Working Railway Museum Open Saturday only (3.8 miles) S43 2PR
