Carronade Show Report!

[Leon]

The Carronade show in Falkirk has been steadily growing for many years, and is quite possibly the biggest show north of the border now (we'll wait for Claymore in August before officially confirming that!).  We've been staying over at more and more shows recently, as it makes things so much easier for us.  For this one, we booked into the Premier Inn 5 minutes down the road, and set off early Friday afternoon.  Despite the reports of torrential rainfall, we trundled along basking in the sunlight, looking out for the obligatory deer...!  Arriving at around 6pm, there were a good deal of other traders who had also made the trip up, so we got to work unpacking the van.

We were all done by 8, and headed back to the hotel.  After checking in, we popped into the pub next door for some well-earned munch, where we were joined by Craig and Dale from Critical Mass Games.  Quality conversation and a few more drinks ensued, and it was well past last orders by the time we went back to the hotel.

Saturday morning, we passed on the Premier breakfast, and headed straight to the show to finish setting up.  The Graeme High School venue is very easy to reach, with a reasonable amount of parking available, although if this show keeps growing, this could be one area which causes a problem.  The show itself is spread throughout 5 halls, on 2 floors:

We were in the other main hall this year:


And last year we were in this one:


Hall 3 isn't so much a hall, as an open area providing access to the two main halls:


Hall 4 was upstairs, and housed the Flea Market.  There have been a couple more shows trying this alternative to the Bring and Buy recently:


The last hall had some more games and a couple of traders:


After a 7am start, I thought it was just my eyes making this blurry... obviously not..!


I had also booked an extra 6ft at this show for a Minibits stand:


The doors opened a bit earlier than the advertised 10am, and it took some time for the numbers to start drifting in.  I'm not sure if there was a queue outside at any point, but it wasn't until after 11 before we started seeing much custom.  Once it did start though, it was constant for the rest of the day.  An odd feature of the Scotland shows is that people don't seem to leave the show as early, quite often still browsing the stand as you're packing away.

We had quite a few Forum visitors throughout the day, with orders being collected by Cameronian, Derek H, SV52 and alnewhaven, and also visits from GordonY, Mexican Dave, laffenator, Captain Black, and I'm sure a few others I've missed!

I'm not sure if anyone can remember me mentioning ages ago that there was a chap designing some WW1 Middle East stuff for us?  Well he popped by at this show and dropped off a box full of various masters, including some chaps on camels and some kilted highlander conversions.  I've got a few things which need photo'ing at the moment, so I'll get these done at the same time.  We also got chance to have a look at a SCW truck which has been done by a prospective new designer.  It was taken away again for some fine-tuning, but it looked very good indeed.  More news on that as soon as I have any!

The sales continued slowly but steadily, and by the end of the day, we'd actually done really well.  I was also pretty chuffed with the reception Minibits received, with a good amount of business, especially in the trees!  (Which I am 100% attributing to my efforts in the tree display department...    Unfortunately I forgot to take some pics of these, so I'll get some taken.)

The standard of the games at all of the shows this year has been fantastic, and Carronade continued this trend, with some really excellent contributions, several in the naval department.  I'm not sure who won the various game prizes, but the judges certainly had quite a job on their hands!



































































































































And we also had quite a few takers for the Pendraken Auxiliaries!














We started packing away around 4ish, as the heavens opened outside.  Ironically, the rain continued right until the van was packed, and then stopped again, and it was fairly clear, if a little grey, all the way back home.  All in all, a thoroughly good day, an enjoyable show and nice people, so thanks to the Falkirk Wargamers and we'll see you again next year!

One quick question for the Carronade locals:  On the way back to the motorway, why are there quite a few black rabbits lining the side of the road?!

Next up, in only a fortnight's time, is the UK's second biggest show, Triples in Sheffield.  We'll be busily replacing all our stock for that one, and we hope to see you there!  In the newly formed world of Minibits, the next show will be the Durham Wargames Show on the 11th June!

[Steve J]

Glad you had a good show. Thanks for finding the time to take pics as always enjoy looking at the displays that have been put on .

[Leon]

Glad you had a good show. Thanks for finding the time to take pics as always enjoy looking at the displays that have been put on .

No worries, I quite enjoy having a look about and grabbing the pics.  My camera batteries actually died before 11am, and I had to get in the van and go in search of a shop for replacements!  Luckily I found an Aldi and picked up some cheapies.

[arabianknight]

Glad you took some pictures - I forgot my camera
Picked up my dungeon booster & rat theme pack, played the Great Escape game and Full Thrust. Overall the day was a good one - this was echoed by my son and his nubee friend.

[Leon]

Picked up my dungeon booster...

We had quite a few Forum visitors throughout the day, Cameronian, Derek H, SV52 and alnewhaven, and also visits from GordonY, Mexican Dave, laffenator, Captain Black, and I'm sure a few others I've missed!

...and Arabianknight!   

[jfariahitech]

Nice report, thanks.

[arabianknight]

I wasn't there this year, but can say that the WWII Prison of War Camp is The Great Eascape - a homebrewed (I think) game from RAF Leuchars which I managed to play a Carronade earlier in the year - excellent. They regularly win "best participation game". As an aside RAF Leuchars was listed in the recent MOD cuts for 2013 so I don't know how many shows they have left???

The naval game with the "measuring compass" is another homebrew game by the Battleground Livingstone club.