After a long 18 months we're finally going to a wargames show! Our first event since the pandemic hit will be Carronade in Falkirk, taking place on Saturday 25th September.
You can place your pre-orders through our website by selecting the 'Collect at Show' delivery option and then entering the event you would like to collect from in the comments box on the following page. Payment can be made in advance by card/PayPal or you can choose to pay on the day. Please make sure to place your pre-orders at least 7 days in advance of the event.
More info on Carronade can be found here: http://www.falkirkwargamesclub.org.uk/Carronade_2021_Home.php
Bit far for me....
Heads up especially for those who may be traveling across that border that in Scotland current guidelines for indoor spaces is that masks should be worn and social distancing (approx 1m, 3 feet, or 1 yard) should be adhered to. (medical exceptions apply etc)
There is also talk up here about things similar to the vaccine passport that England is getting but it's still being debated so we don't know if/when that might take effect from but early media speculation on the size of events means it will affect the show if it comes into effect before the show date.
Stay safe and we'll see you there.
Quote from: Genom on 06 September 2021, 04:26:07 PM
Heads up especially for those who may be traveling across that border that in Scotland current guidelines for indoor spaces is that masks should be worn and social distancing (approx 1m, 3 feet, or 1 yard) should be adhered to. (medical exceptions apply etc)
There is also talk up here about things similar to the vaccine passport that England is getting but it's still being debated so we don't know if/when that might take effect from but early media speculation on the size of events means it will affect the show if it comes into effect before the show date.
Stay safe and we'll see you there.
Thanks for the info, we'll be wearing our masks and I'm hoping to adjust the trade stand a bit to allow us some 'safe space' at the back/side of it. We'll make sure to have our Covid passports sorted as well.
Definitely a bit far for me ;)
I hope it goes well for all involved, stay safe
I shall be there.
Carronade is my favourite show, and warrants my support after these tough times.
I'm working on an order to collect at the show.
I don't anticipate staying for the whole show, but long enough to get about and collect purchases.
Maybe next year .... or the year after.
A bit disappointing that the Flea Market is unavailable.
I have some top items for sale, some of them are for charity.
I can provide a list and trade from my car boot if anyone has an interest. Masks would be worn.
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 07 September 2021, 08:23:54 PM
I'm working on an order to collect at the show.
I don't anticipate staying for the whole show, but long enough to get about and collect purchases.
Excellent, we'll see you there!
Quote from: Leon on 07 September 2021, 10:55:45 PM
Excellent, we'll see you there!
Great: How many people are you bringing to the stand? I'll bring some local delicacies to help sustain you o the return journey. (All wrapped, and handled in sanitary conditions - Obvs)
2 Days away. Who else is attending.
I wonder whether we can organise a suitably distanced "Pendraken fan get together".
Or at least say hello.
I'll be wearing a Holmes Tartan bandada over my mask.
Feel free to introduce yourselves.
(https://rlv.zcache.co.uk/holmes_clan_tartan_fabric-r6a529f9320484191b16491126ac3eeec_z191r_512.jpg?rlvnet=1)
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 23 September 2021, 09:39:03 AM
2 Days away. Who else is attending.
I wonder whether we can organise a suitably distanced "Pendraken fan get together".
Or at least say hello.
I'll be wearing a Holmes Tartan bandada over my mask.
Feel free to introduce yourselves.
I plan to be there, probably just the morning and I'll be wearing a black mask (sort of half-vader).
I'll have a few WSS units and Nap units in the car boot if anyone is looking for some second hand retail.
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 23 September 2021, 09:33:15 AM
Great: How many people are you bringing to the stand? I'll bring some local delicacies to help sustain you o the return journey. (All wrapped, and handled in sanitary conditions - Obvs)
Just the two of us, me and Adele this year. We'll be on the road first thing tomorrow morning and we're going to visit Warbases before heading to the venue for setting up.
Quote from: jimduncanuk on 23 September 2021, 12:40:52 PM
I plan to be there, probably just the morning and I'll be wearing a black mask (sort of half-vader).
I'll have a few WSS units and Nap units in the car boot if anyone is looking for some second hand retail.
Hope to meet you there Jim. I'm also aiming for a morning start.
Just a quick reminder to check the Website info up top, the entrance is on the opposite side of the building to normal this year to keep that other area clear as it's always been a bit of a choke point.
Best of luck all, I hope the show goes really well :-bd
Quote from: Genom on 23 September 2021, 06:28:25 PM
Just a quick reminder to check the Website info up top, the entrance is on the opposite side of the building to normal this year to keep that other area clear as it's always been a bit of a choke point.
Yep - Three key points:
* Entrance through the East Gate (Not the usual West)
* 4 quid entrance fee (or a Fiver for families).
* Masks mandatory.
Have a good one, Guys !
Cheers - Phil. :)
It's 43 miles to Falkirk, I've got a full tank of gas, a backpack and four pre-orders.
Carronade took place on the fashionably late date of Sept 25th, rescheduled from early summer to avoid any potential lockdowns.
The Drive there (almost all motorway) was smooth and enjoyable, maybe weekend drivers were staying home to conserve fuel.
Parking, at the parklands complex was busier than usual (I think the Council were working weekends).
A gentle stroll through Callendar Park (Running the gauntlet of Park runners), past the Antinine wall and I was at the show entrance some 15 minutes after opening.
Inside was less crowded than previous visits, but still well attended.
Removing games from the centre corridor was a distinct improvement - the place is usually a massive ruck as people attempt to play, shop and squeeze through a very limited space.
The very large Warlord Games display wasn't present this year, and this probably accounted for the lack of crowding in hall 3.
I had 4 pre-orders, which I intended to pick up later, and didn't intend to stay from "gun to tape", so set off to look at the games.
There were fewer participation games than usual - understandable with the virus still present.
Several interesting looking games, and I stopped to speak with players who were willing to communicate.
Credit to the Wellington in India (Tyneside I think) and Lutzen (Glasgow Tradeston).
Both had games that progressed throughout the day, and spared club members to describe the battle and its context.
The Wellington guys also had a great display of books and reproduction weapons.
The painting contest was tucked away upstairs, very few entries, mostly fantasy pieces painted to remarkable standard.
I bumped into old friend and opponent Hugh and his son.
We planned to meet up for a game (real soon now).
I failed to recognise Westmarcher of this parish, who had planned to attend.
Then a swift tour to pick up the orders.
Kallistra - Taerrain, Colonel Bill - Paint, Magnetic Displays - Guess, Pendraken - Flock and buildings. I also dropped off some Tunnocks Caramel Wafers for the return journey.
Avoided any expensive impulse buys.
Observations:
It was great to get back to a show after over 2 years.
Slightly emptier than usual is good for the customer, more civilised shopping and less mosh-pit.
(On departure the door guys reported 500 paying attendees, compared to a usual 700), I think people were also less inclined to hang about for the whole day.
Pendraken's stand appeared to be doing a good trade, twice a rolled up and the place was jammed to I retired to come back later.
Even after lunch there were queues, so no opportunity for lengthy chat about business, the hobby and he show in general.
I certainly felt it was a worthwhile visit.
I hope all the traders and clubs also found it worthwhile, as they make the show what it is.
Finally a word of thanks to the Falkirk club for all their behind the scenes work to make the show possible.
Thanks for the feedback on the show Steve and it will be interesting to see how Partizan compares in a few weeks time.
Yep (as you now know), I was there, Steve. Slightly later than planned but how I missed you, I don't know. Didn't see Jim either or anyone else for that matter (except Leon and Adele). Not helped by the universal wearing of masks. What were you wearing? I did see a guy whose gait, for a second, seemed like yours but as he was heading to the Gents in a rush, so I didn't wish to call him back (and he was wearing a backpack! And shorts?)! ;D I, too, spoke to the Tradeston guys (as they were near the Pendraken stand, this was obviously the social end) who were happy to demonstrate the mechanics of their new Thirty Years War rules ... but i didn't bite (I don't need another period at present, thanks. Also with Leon, being the last customer to pick up his pre-show orders. A lot of good demo games there and good to experience that war-games show vibe again after so long but slightly marred by the lingering shadow of Covid as we all trooped around in masks (which annoyingly steamed up my specs now and again ???).
Great day at Carronade today.
Well done the guys in the Falkirk club. You pulled it off in the most difficult of circumstances.
Look forward to next year.
Yes Westie, you missed me and I you.
I did only stay for the morning as I was on stiff restrictions from the good lady as I haven't been the best recently.
Got pretty well all I had planned to purchase so am happy.
Roll on next year.
Quote from: jimduncanuk on 25 September 2021, 08:06:44 PM
I did only stay for the morning as I was on stiff restrictions from the good lady as I haven't been the best recently.
Sorry to hear that Jim, hope that's a very temporary thing.
Quote from: jimduncanuk on 25 September 2021, 08:06:44 PM
Roll on next year.
Hear! Hear!
Certainly wasn't wearing shorts.
And I didn't avail myself of the Graeme High School toilets - having used the ones at Callander Park on my way up.
A splendid stroll in the shadow of the Antonine wall.
The punters already have to endure masks, I think my long thin hairy legs are the last "promotion" the organisers need.
Good to hear it all seems to have gone well :-bd =D> :-bd
Ditto !! :-bd
Cheers - Phil. :)
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 25 September 2021, 11:09:22 PM
Certainly wasn't wearing shorts.
And I didn't avail myself of the Graeme High School toilets - having used the ones at Callander Park on my way up.
A splendid stroll in the shadow of the Antonine wall.
The punters already have to endure masks, I think my long thin hairy legs are the last "promotion" the organisers need.
Relieved to read that - it certainly was a fashion faux pas! #:-S ;D
Also relieved I didn't shout after "you" - but that was one of the issues with everyone wearing masks; when I strolled up to the Tradeston game, one of the guys also mistook me for someone else.
Sounds like it was a good day out.
I can't say I'm rushing to get back to shows - not that I went to that many anyway.
In some ways the show sounds better with fewer attendees, with more space and less crowding. But the obvious downside is that there are less people to spend money. Although this may be tempered a bit as those who where least likely to spend are probably the most likely to have not attended. And you never know for those that did attend, if you can see more, you might spend more...
It seemed to go really well, certainly from the hall I was looking after (with the canteen) all the clubs and traders reported a having had a good day and we got similar reports back from the other halls as well.
So from a worried group putting the show on and really not knowing what was going to happen, I think it was a success under the circumstances and a big thank you to everyone.
As an aside everyone seems to have quite liked not having any games in the central hall, might try and keep that in the future.
I wonder if the lack of a bring'n'buy might have affected attendance, alongside Covid of course. Many times queueing for the Colours show all the talk seemed to be about rushing in to the B'n'B and seeing what bargains could be had. The show seemed an after thought at times. Also after midday it tended to be quieter, which made moving around much nicer.
Perhaps, personally the Bring and Buy is rarely of interest to me, the effort to see anything in amongst crowds and piled up stuff, rarely seems worth it. I find this with sales in most shops too.
I quite like an online sale though!
Quote from: fred. on 26 September 2021, 03:06:52 PM
Perhaps, personally the Bring and Buy is rarely of interest to me, the effort to see anything in amongst crowds and piled up stuff, rarely seems worth it. I find this with sales in most shops too.
I quite like an online sale though!
It doesn't interest me much either, but I'll be the first to admit the room is always pretty crowded while it is on.
Quote from: Steve J on 26 September 2021, 02:34:50 PM
I wonder if the lack of a bring'n'buy might have affected attendance, alongside Covid of course. Many times queueing for the Colours show all the talk seemed to be about rushing in to the B'n'B and seeing what bargains could be had. The show seemed an after thought at times. Also after midday it tended to be quieter, which made moving around much nicer.
I was at Carronade but just for the morning. I would have stayed longer if the Flea Market was up and running as I still have a goodly number of excess painted figures for sale.
I did say 'hello' to several (many) friends, socially distanced of course, and managed to purchase everything I thought I needed.
All in all the Falkirk guys did a great job in getting Carronade up off its bum (can I say 'bum') in somewhat difficult circumstances. Well done lads.
A nice review of the show and some good pics of the show, courtesy of the Balkan Gamer Blog:
http://balkandave.blogspot.com/2021/09/carronade-2021.html (http://balkandave.blogspot.com/2021/09/carronade-2021.html)
:-bd =D> :-bd Some very good looking games :)
There certainly are...Thanks for the link, Steve ! :-bd
Cheers - Phil. :)
Quote from: Steve J on 26 September 2021, 07:54:20 PM
A nice review of the show and some good pics of the show, courtesy of the Balkan Gamer Blog:
http://balkandave.blogspot.com/2021/09/carronade-2021.html (http://balkandave.blogspot.com/2021/09/carronade-2021.html)
Great pictures.
Here's my pal Hugh's take on the show.
http://colgar6.blogspot.com/2021/09/carronade-2021-at-last.html (http://colgar6.blogspot.com/2021/09/carronade-2021-at-last.html)
A few Carronade pictures, and some other goodies in the blog if you're minded to dig about.
We had a really nice time at Falkirk, it almost felt like a real show! The masks and distancing didn't really affect things and it was nice to catch up with folks after so long. All credit must go to the Falkirk club for being the first to take the plunge and run their event.
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 25 September 2021, 06:37:29 PM
Pendraken's stand appeared to be doing a good trade, twice a rolled up and the place was jammed to I retired to come back later.
Even after lunch there were queues, so no opportunity for lengthy chat about business, the hobby and he show in general.
Thanks for the chocs as well, I missed you when you came by!