Happy New Year to everyone, and happy new show season! We're only a few weeks away from the 2020 opener at Vapnartak in York and then we'll be attending a further 13 events this year! As always, if you'd like to pre-order anything for any of these events, please make sure to let us know at least 7 days in advance!
There's a new addition to the calendar this year, as we head down to Kent for our debut at the Broadside show in Sittingbourne! It's been a long time since we've been down this way for an event so we're hoping to hit some of those south-east customers who can't make it into Salute. We'll also be returning to the new Glasgow show for a 2nd year, which certainly has potential. For anyone who regularly attends the Warfare show (in Reading), you'll be pleased to know that it will be moving to a new venue for 2020, at Ascot Racecourse! This will definitely be an improvement so we hope that folks will support it in it's new home.
And at the end of the year, our Battleground event will be taking place on Saturday 28th November!
February
Sun 2nd - Vapnartak, York - http://vapnartak.co.uk/
March
Sun 8th - WMMS, Wolverhampton - http://www.alumwellwargames.co.uk/
Sat 14th - Hammerhead, Newark - http://www.hammerheadshow.co.uk/
April
Sat 18th - Salute, London - http://www.salute.co.uk/salute/salute-2020/ - CANCELLED
May
Sat 9th - Carronade, Falkirk - https://www.facebook.com/events/526312771246577/ - CANCELLED
June
Sun 14th - Broadside, Sittingbourne - https://www.miltonhundred.com/broadside - CANCELLED
Sat 20th - Phalanx, St Helens - https://spartans.org.uk/ - CANCELLED
Sat 27th - Glasgow Games Gathering - https://www.facebook.com/events/bellahouston-leisure-centre/glasgow-games-gathering-2020/379223002791514/ - CANCELLED
August
Sat 1st - Claymore, Edinburgh - https://seswc.co.uk/category/claymore/ (https://seswc.co.uk/category/claymore/) - CANCELLED
September
Sat 19th (TBC) - Border Reiver, Newcastle - https://sites.google.com/site/borderreiverswargamessociety/Home/border-reivers-show - CANCELLED
Sat 12th - Colours, Newbury - https://nrwc.org.uk/colours-2020 - CANCELLED
October
Sun 25th - Fiasco, Leeds - http://leedswargamesclub.webs.com/fiasco.htm (http://leedswargamesclub.webs.com/fiasco.htm) - CANCELLED
November
Sat/Sun 14th/15th - Warfare, Ascot - https://wargamesreading.co.uk/warfare2020/ - CANCELLED
Sat 28th - Battleground, Stockton-on-Tees - http://www.battlegroundshow.co.uk/ - CANCELLED
All cancelled now!
Quote from: Leon on 05 January 2020, 01:11:14 AM
Hopefully we'll see some of you there, so make sure to drop by and say hello if you're around!
Nah - never chats at anyun at shows ! ;)
June is a bit busy then!
If life doesn't get in the way I hope to make Vapnartak, Carronade, Glasgow, Claymore and Battleground.
We'll see how many I actually get to!
I'm very unlikely to make WMMS this year due to Bump being likely to become Daughter the 2nd within about three days of it :D
Club mates will be there running Battletech: AlphaStrike so if anyone's free for half an hour bug them to shove some giant robots about!
IF.....I get the chance....I'm going to make a big effort to get to Battleground this year.
Sod's law says that something will throw a spanner in the works. =)
Cheers - Phil
Already looking forward to Warfare at Ascot, it's only 15 minutes down the road from me :D
Quote from: Techno on 05 January 2020, 12:41:32 PM
IF.....I get the chance....I'm going to make a big effort to get to Battleground this year.
Sod's law says that something will throw a spanner in the works. =)
Cheers - Phil
Come to Warfare, you can stay over and top-and-tail on the sofa with Will ;)
Hope to get to Colours again, subject to when daughter goes back to Uni.
Quote from: mad lemmey on 05 January 2020, 09:22:45 AM
June is a bit busy then!
Yeah, I'd not quite realised it'd be 3 weekends in a row when we agreed to Broadside! Never mind, it's a nice little selection spread across the country.
Quote from: toxicpixie on 05 January 2020, 11:06:15 AM
I'm very unlikely to make WMMS this year due to Bump being likely to become Daughter the 2nd within about three days of it :D
I'm sure you can still get a few hours off to attend the show...!
Quote from: Techno on 05 January 2020, 12:41:32 PM
IF.....I get the chance....I'm going to make a big effort to get to Battleground this year.
It'd be great to see you if you can make it, we'll treat you to a meal somewhere nice while you're here. McDonalds or KFC?!
Is Broadside on Saturday 13th or Sunday 14th :-/
I suspect Mrs Pixie is not as forgiving as Mi'Lady ;)
Are you sure the Pendraken coffers can be opened that far :-\
Quote from: paulr on 06 January 2020, 03:44:10 AM
Is Broadside on Saturday 13th or Sunday 14th :-/
Sunday!
Quote from: Leon on 05 January 2020, 11:39:23 PM
It'd be great to see you if you can make it, we'll treat you to a meal somewhere nice while you're here. McDonalds or KFC?!
As long as Phil is happy with the £1 Saver menu, we'll be fine...!
Mrs Pixie is very definitely not as forgiving, sadly! It's hard work getting out to the club of a Wednesday evening on a normal week, awkward for even local shows, let alone when she's got a full term tiny wee one that's not so tiny threatening to drop any minute :D
A whole pound for a burger?! Surely for true magnificence you should wait till everything's marked down at closing time and get a real spread :D
Just to update on the current show situation, we've had cancellations confirmed for Salute, Falkirk, Phalanx, Sittingbourne and Glasgow.
Quote from: toxicpixie on 05 January 2020, 11:06:15 AM
I'm very unlikely to make WMMS this year due to Bump being likely to become Daughter the 2nd within about three days of it :D
Where's your sense of priorities ;)
My eldest was born on a Friday, on the Saturday I went to a Society of Ancients day at the Tower of London all about Ancient China. Then visited the then wife and new daughter in the evening.
Quote from: Orcs on 01 May 2020, 10:05:57 PM
Where's your sense of priorities ;)
My eldest was born on a Friday, on the Saturday I went to a Society of Ancients day at the Tower of London all about Ancient China. Then visited the then wife and new daughter in the evening.
I've underlined what looks to be a key phrase in the above ;)
Quote from: paulr on 02 May 2020, 12:30:36 AM
I've underlined what looks to be a key phrase in the above ;)
I was married for another 13 years after that. She said she didn't want me coming in on the Saturday as she was exhausted.
I only got away the night before and then night before that as the midwifes ordered t'other to let me go home. Otherwise she'd have had me in 24/7 so she could panic at me all round the clock instead of sleeping!
Just a quick update, there's a post on the SESWC Facebook page confirming that Claymore has been cancelled now so that's everything until September gone. We've not had an update from Colours or Border Reiver yet but we'll let everyone know as soon as we hear anything.
That's a shame, but to be expected. I guess the later you leave cancelling, the more costs you have to cover.
Not sure if any shows will go ahead as I am not sure the likely attendance will make them viable
That makes me sad. Not that I had any plans to go to that show. But just the period of time with no wargames shows.
I know its for the best, and all things considered is pretty trivial.
If I go to shows Sunjester shows me things "I could use"
My bank manager doesn't like him.
It's definitely going to be weird not seeing anyone for such a long length of time. I don't think the September shows will be able to run either, the restrictions on large gatherings will be in place for some time yet. Fiasco in October might be the first one back.
Quote from: Leon on 02 June 2020, 10:30:04 PM
It's definitely going to be weird not seeing anyone for such a long length of time. I don't think the September shows will be able to run either, the restrictions on large gatherings will be in place for some time yet. Fiasco in October might be the first one back.
There's SKELP and TARGE, both in Fife, in October and November, both small shows but maybe viable.
I doubt I'll be allowed to attend though as I'm currently being shielded as I'm an old guy with underlying health problems.
From my point of view it may be Carronade in May 2021 when I might be able (allowed) to go to a show.
Quote from: Orcs on 02 June 2020, 09:07:15 PM
That's a shame, but to be expected. I guess the later you leave cancelling, the more costs you have to cover.
Not sure if any shows will go ahead as I am not sure the likely attendance will make them viable
Yes, difficult to know how many people will happily travel and congregate for shows this side of Christmas. All my events up to the end of September have now either been cancelled or replaced by internet meetings as people are reluctant to travel in the current circumstances. The good news is that there are signs that club premises might open up in July or August.; it would be a start.
Quote from: Last Hussar on 02 June 2020, 09:52:32 PM
If I go to shows Sunjester shows me things "I could use"
My bank manager doesn't like him.
I thought you showed him the Venice buildings the "he could use" at the last show you went to. So perhaps his bank manager does not like you?
Quote from: Orcs on 02 June 2020, 11:24:06 PM
I thought you showed him the Venice buildings the "he could use" at the last show you went to. So perhaps his bank manager does not like you?
No, I had been eyeing up the Streets of Venice set online for ages. I dragged LR over to TTCombat to have a look, then pointed out the nearby set which would make a brilliant Evil Genius' lair.
I then rang home and said "You know that Venice set I keep drooling over, it's a third off at the show!".
The only response was "You had better buy it then!".
That why I am still with the same woman after 36 years!
The fact you rang rather than just turned up with it probably helps ;)
Quote from: sunjester on 03 June 2020, 05:24:41 AM
No, I had been eyeing up the Streets of Venice set online for ages. I dragged LR over to TTCombat to have a look, then pointed out the nearby set which would make a brilliant Evil Genius' lair.
I then rang home and said "You know that Venice set I keep drooling over, it's a third off at the show!".
The only response was "You had better buy it then!".
That why I am still with the same woman after 36 years!
Streets of Venice set? What was it, a glass of water? :o :o
Quote from: mollinary on 03 June 2020, 07:35:51 AM
Streets of Venice set? What was it, a glass of water? :o :o
https://grahamsgaming.blogspot.com/2020/01/frostgrave-wetgrave-in-venice.html (https://grahamsgaming.blogspot.com/2020/01/frostgrave-wetgrave-in-venice.html)
Quote from: paulr on 03 June 2020, 05:26:34 AM
The fact you rang rather than just turned up with it probably helps ;)
Mrs Orcs says, "Better to beg for forgiveness rather than ask permission"
Another update tonight with Colours cancelled as well. I'm not sure if we'll get Border Reiver either as it's held in a sports stadium and it's unlikely that venues like that will be open to the public by then.
Shame......But I suppose, better safe than sorry. :(
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: Leon on 09 June 2020, 01:26:12 AM
Another update tonight with Colours cancelled as well. I'm not sure if we'll get Border Reiver either as it's held in a sports stadium and it's unlikely that venues like that will be open to the public by then.
Really sorry to hear that, one of my favourite shows n one of my favourite venues.
Quote from: Leon on 09 June 2020, 01:26:12 AM
Another update tonight with Colours cancelled as well. I'm not sure if we'll get Border Reiver either as it's held in a sports stadium and it's unlikely that venues like that will be open to the public by then.
:'(
Going to miss Newbury and catching up with Everyone :(
Fingers crossed for Warfare at Ascot, but I very much doubt it will happen :Ph
You can go - but would have to self isolate afterwards for 14 days ;)
Quote from: O Dinas Powys on 09 June 2020, 02:28:31 PM
Fingers crossed for Warfare at Ascot, but I very much doubt it will happen :Ph
We've not heard anything from Warfare since the start of the year so I'm not sure where we are with that. There were some teething problems with the space allocation in the new venue so I think they were having a meeting to discuss options. I'll see if any of the other traders have heard anything about it.
I feel for the Wargamer crew in B'ham. They had to skip a year due to venue issues, found a nice venue last December, got decent numbers and now... probably no chance even in six months :(
Worse - Haddenham Summer Beer festival is off.
Noooooooo
What if any are the chances of Battleground occurring in November ?
Quote from: iw07596 on 12 June 2020, 06:04:23 PM
What if any are the chances of Battleground occurring in November ?
Currently there's no plans to cancel the event, but we're obviously keeping an eye on things to see what the advice/guidelines tells us. If public events are still banned at that point then we'll have to cancel, but if we're allowed to go ahead then we'll be trying to run the show as best we can.
If it does go ahead we might have make some adjustments to how the show is run and laid out. This could be socially distanced traders, queueing systems outside/inside, PPE and sanitiser on entry and placed around the hall, etc. It's difficult at this point to say what's going to happen unfortunately. We'll be keeping an eye on the other events at that time of year (Fiasco, Partizan, Warfare) to see what they do and how they adapt to the Covid situation.
We've had another couple of updates this week with both Border Reiver and Warfare now cancelled for this year.
Quote from: Leon on 08 August 2020, 10:21:47 PM
We've had another couple of updates this week with both Border Reiver and Warfare now cancelled for this year.
Unsurprising, but still. :'(
There is a long post on the FoG-Am facebook group - may well be from the organisers
I think it highly unlikely any shows will take place this year.
Its very unfortunate, especially for the Traders.
Just seen that WARFARE is postponed this year, just to cap the non-year 2020 has been. I had been counting on WARFARE to get my shopping done, as it were.
This year I've missed:
SALUTE;
A week in Boston visiting AWI sites in and near Boston;
Rugby Club tour to Romania;
A summer's county cricket;
COLOURS;
SELWG was already postponed this year ahead of its transfer to Ascot racecourse;
A trip to Silesia to visit the battlefields of Frederick the Great; and now
WARFARE.
Undoubtedly a very selfish list in the context of what others have lost in terms of family, friends and livelihoods, but frustrating nevertheless.
Quote from: DHautpol on 11 August 2020, 04:20:10 PM
SELWG was already postponed this year ahead of its transfer to Ascot racecourse;
It's Warfare who are moving to Ascot, I'm not sure where SELWG are going but we'd heard rumours of a venue in north London?
Quote from: Leon on 11 August 2020, 05:32:50 PM
It's Warfare who are moving to Ascot, I'm not sure where SELWG are going but we'd heard rumours of a venue in north London?
How does that tie in With South East London Wargames Group?
Quote from: Orcs on 11 August 2020, 07:52:41 PM
How does that tie in With South East London Wargames Group?
No idea! I think they were struggling to find suitable venues south of the river and there was talk of something further north but still within the M25. I can't remember where I heard that though!
Well it will be nearer for me to attend. I am from east London and was brought up with "there is nuffink saaf of the river" :D
If they can find somewhere a bit easier to get to than Crystal Palace we'd be tempted to go back again. I think I went 4 years running and we took a different route each time, including the dreaded Blacwall tunnel on one occasion.
Quote from: Leon on 12 August 2020, 12:30:23 AM
If they can find somewhere a bit easier to get to than Crystal Palace we'd be tempted to go back again. I think I went 4 years running and we took a different route each time, including the dreaded Blacwall tunnel on one occasion.
There were two major issues: facilities no longer adequate and numbers dropping meant a new venue was needed. The last I heard was
Lea Valley was in the view finder but given current circumstances they could end up anywhere.
Quote from: hammurabi70 on 12 August 2020, 12:55:07 AM
The last I heard was Lea Valley was in the view finder but given current circumstances they could end up anywhere.
That rings a bell now. SELWG was always a funny one for us, the sales were up and down quite drastically from year to year but it was the unload into the hall that really put us off attending.
My mistake; it's WARFARE going to Ascot. Only been there for the racing a couple of times (I only go 2-3 times a years max) and not keen on the new grandstand - a bit like arriving at Heathrow Terminal 5 and finding there's a race course outside. Still the facilities should be good with plenty of space.
The issue for SELWG to address is the show is probably too big for most town halls and larger venues are not so common. The Lea Valley Leisure Centre (Picketts Lock) has been mentioned. There's Alexandra Palace as well, although SELWG might impinge on their big darts event, but I went to a quite well supported Fantasy gaming/D&D show there one September; ended up buying a very nice, if somewhat pricey, dice tower.
Quote from: DHautpol on 12 August 2020, 01:28:36 PM
There's Alexandra Palace as well, although SELWG might impinge on their big darts event...
We went to the Tabletop Live event at Alexandra Palace and the venue is really nice for the visitors, loads of space inside and food kiosks built in. Unfortunately the unloading process is an absolute nightmare to navigate. There's booked time slots for arriving, the unload point is a long way from the trade stands, you only get 30 minutes to unload, etc. And at the end of the show you've got to walk all the way down the hill, book a slot with the steward again and then sit in your van until they allow you to drive up to the building.
Leon, they probably need to make shows where the traders literally drive their truck in, fold down the specially built sides and rear, and hey presto instant sales stand. Fold up at the end of the day and drive off. Bit like taking the concept of a carboot sale up a notch.
Mark
You could do that with a mildly converted catering van, I bet...
Quote from: sultanbev on 12 August 2020, 05:30:23 PM
Leon, they probably need to make shows where the traders literally drive their truck in, fold down the specially built sides and rear, and hey presto instant sales stand. Fold up at the end of the day and drive off. Bit like taking the concept of a carboot sale up a notch.
I have considered this! I looked at some coach style vehicles where we could kit them out as a walk-in trade shop but it would only really be useful for Salute, we'd never get it into any of the other venues we go to. I've wondered whether some kind of trailer could do the same job but I can't make it work yet.
It's useful where ever you have a free car park.
The idea is you make your own shows on a suitable piece of land, circle the wagons of the traders that join in and have an instant outdoor wargames show. Punters wanting to put games on can build similar "van-ready" fold out games in the middle.
Pre-pandemic wargames shows were stuck in harder and harder to get to places, with increasing rents, congestion times and in some cases, vastly increased show sizes. Do it the other way round. Rather than taking the gamers to the shows, take the shows to the gamers ;D
You could like have a convoy going to different towns to meet at social media & internet pre-arranged places.
Quote from: Leon on 12 August 2020, 06:16:04 PM
I have considered this! I looked at some coach style vehicles where we could kit them out as a walk-in trade shop but it would only really be useful for Salute, we'd never get it into any of the other venues we go to. I've wondered whether some kind of trailer could do the same job but I can't make it work yet.
Presumably most traders have a modular display stand that they stack on a four-wheeled trolley for moving into the show area. I have no idea how you would kit that out to have an advanced stand, somewhat like those gazebos that go up in an instant or tents that deploy in only a few seconds.
A traders show done as car boot sale might not be such a bad idea. If you get a field around Northampton and a large percentage of the population would be within a two-hour drive.
Quote from: hammurabi70 on 12 August 2020, 06:55:23 PM
If you get a field around Northampton and a large percentage of the population would be within a two-hour drive.
Fine if you have a car and/ or don't live in Scotland, Wales or Cornwall :)
Somewhere with good public transport links and cheap accommodation would do me.
Quote from: Ithoriel on 12 August 2020, 07:08:32 PM
Fine if you have a car and/ or don't live in Scotland, Wales or Cornwall :)
Somewhere with good public transport links and cheap accommodation would do me.
Correct. Northamptonshire is the national logistical distribution base with a large percentage of the population living within a two-hour drive. The show would be designed on this basis; hopefully a suitable field would be inexpensive. The alternative would be to use the NEC, which has transport links and accommodation; it would also be a great deal more expensive. In either case Cornwall, Wales and Scotland and points further way would not be serviced.
I've done the Edinburgh/ NEC run on more than one occasion BCE*
*Before the Covid Era
Quote from: sultanbev on 12 August 2020, 06:23:58 PM
Rather than taking the gamers to the shows, take the shows to the gamers ;D
That was part of the van-plan, I was wondering whether we could drive it around the UK to various wargames club nights and allow the members to come on board and buy some goodies. We could bring pre-orders as well, and then play some games once the selling was done!
Quote from: hammurabi70 on 12 August 2020, 06:55:23 PM
Presumably most traders have a modular display stand that they stack on a four-wheeled trolley for moving into the show area. I have no idea how you would kit that out to have an advanced stand, somewhat like those gazebos that go up in an instant or tents that deploy in only a few seconds.
The variety of trade stands is quite impressive, ranging from simple boxes which are unpacked onto the tables through to pully-up vinyl affairs with in-built shelving and downlights! The fancier ones are generally only for Salute though. Ours is gridwall with legs, which we bring in one at a time on a custom-built sackbarrow. It's quick and easy but it means about 28 trips to the van and back per unload/load session.
Quote from: Leon on 12 August 2020, 08:50:03 PM
That was part of the van-plan, I was wondering whether we could drive it around the UK to various wargames club nights and allow the members to come on board and buy some goodies. We could bring pre-orders as well, and then play some games once the selling was done!
That's sounds fun, would be good a promotion of Pendraken. Not sure it would be viable financially though.
If you could combine it with a camper van to sleep in/kip at someone's house it'd be like a giant gaming road trip that pays for itself!
I'm quite taken by this idea. A large open air venue would suit me in these days of Covid-19. It'd be a kind of wargames Glastonbury or Woodstock. 8)
Gamesbury or Warstock?
Make it so! Although we're now entering British Monsoon and Sleet Season until our next three day summer in 2021, so it might be a bit awkward... and soggy. Fine for the metal producing guys, not so good for the MDF bods...
Quote from: toxicpixie on 13 August 2020, 01:09:48 PM
Gamesbury or Warstock?
Make it so! Although we're now entering British Monsoon and Sleet Season until our next three day summer in 2021, so it might be a bit awkward... and soggy. Fine for the metal producing guys, not so good for the MDF bods...
I think we have the marketing winner! An open-air show is much more viable than the requirements of an enclosed hall. The tricky bit is the weather-proofing. :D
Maybe we should move it somewhere warm and sunny! Turkey is apparently marvellous according to the very hopeful tourist board advert I just watched :D
Quote from: toxicpixie on 13 August 2020, 07:19:40 PM
Maybe we should move it somewhere warm and sunny! Turkey is apparently marvellous according to the very hopeful tourist board advert I just watched :D
Been to Turkey twice and found the people to be genuinely friendly, welcoming and generous. So a definite yes from me
It's not so much the people I'd worry about at the moment ;)
After careful consideration and discussions with our venue and other show organisers, we've reached the sad decision to cancel Battleground 2020. The current Covid situation causes a whole host of problems for holding large events in crowded venues and the added factors are just too much currently. All of that extra hassle and costs would mean that we'd be losing money on the event, whilst also asking the traders to take a gamble on something that might not be viable for them in terms of visitor numbers and sales.
With everything considered, the sensible option is to cancel this year's event and wait for this Corona situation to calm down. Hopefully by the beginning of 2021 things will be under control and we might have a vaccine.
We'll update everyone as to the date for 2021 as soon as we can. Currently the Warfare show in Ascot have moved their event into our usual slot, but we're waiting to hear back from them about whether that's a permanent change.
Thats a real shame, bur eminently sensible
Much better to cancel than for you and the traders to take a loss, jeopardising future shows and your companies.
A real shame but better safe than sorry - hope to see you in 2021!
I think the only viable outcome given the current situation. Let's hope we can see some shows returning in 2021.
Totally agree, Steve.
Cheers - Phil
Wot they sed
Likewise
Sorry to hear this.
However not unexpected in current times.
Best wishes for all the shows in 2021.
Likewise.