In the good ol' days way before my blog, way before I had a computer or a mobile phone, way before the Rejects even existed, we used to visit Reading for our annual fix of wargaming merryment at the Warfare Wargaming show.
We can't even remember the last time we went, but it must have been the mid to late 90's. (Fran did you ever go to Warfare?) We decided to was too close in date to SELWG and we'd usually spent all our hard earned dosh there, so had none left for Warfare.
BUT, silly Reject Not so BigLee, went and booked a holiday over the weekend of SELWG, so was rather miffed with himself and needed a last Wargaming fix of the year. Me and Postie agreed that we'd tag along and hold his hand, (gotta admit, we didn't need a lot of persuading!)
So off we went early Saturday morning arriving in Reading 30 odd minutes before the show started.
We made a beeline for the Bring and Buy see above where I broke our duck for the day, with a purchase of 2 28mm Warlord artillery pieces, for £8! Did I actually need them You ask???
No, but Yes but.........
I did take quite a few photos before I noticed a problem with my mobile. some of the pictures were corrupted???m (Like the last few in the last game we played?) It seemed to be pretty random and was bloody annoying!
So lots of pics didn't come out, including all the close up's I took of this most excellent game below
From Ruperts regt Sealed Knot
They put of a ingenuous interpretation of the Battle of Sedgemoor 1685
As its a night battle, I've always wondered how to create that Fog of War needed to play the game.
They made small boards to cover the Rebel armies advance on the English camp.
The Camp
As units moved forward, the terrain would become viable.
There were hidden walls, ditches to cross and animals and people, who could make a noise and alert the guards in the camp that somethings heading their way,
All the building were scratch built by one of the guys and painted up in various shades of grey to help with the night effect.
The Red regt makes it unmolested to the camp.
And set fire to the tents.
What a great looking game, I shall pinch a few ideas from this game!!
Combined Oppos - Wild West
Col Bill & Scotty
Newbury & Reading Wargames Society - Caractacus Strikes Back 45AD
We bumped into blogger extraordinaire Sgt Steiner several times throughout the day.
What a thoroughly nice chap!
Boscombe Down & Amesbury Wargames Club
Cheers Peter!
Cheers Peter!
Huntingdon & District Wargames Society - 54mm Rorks Drift
My pics of Warbases didn't come out.
So this ones pinched from Lee's Blog.
South Oxfordshire Generals - To the Strongest - Sassanid Persian battle
Maidenhead Reapers - Panzer 150 - Ardennes Offensive 1944
Aylesbury Wargames Club - Bolt Action - Ost Front 1944
Two pics of the Competition game going on over the weekend.
Skirmish Wargames - 54mm A Very British Civil War
Grid Wargaming - FIW
1066 Group - SYW The Battle of Warburg
Display Models
The 3 Amigos
We had an enjoyable but exhausting day, we will defo be back for more.
Perhaps at the new venue in Ascot if what we heard was true?
Great looking games Ray. That Sedgemore game looks aces! Love the use of greyscale.
ReplyDeleteGood isn't it?
DeleteGlad you guys finally went. Sorry you lost some photos.
ReplyDeleteInteresting way to play a night game, covering up the sections like that.
I think the setups with the snow turned out really well.
Agreed on all counts!
DeleteNice report Ray. I really like that snow landscape, I'm hoping for something like that myself.
ReplyDeleteLooked cool didn't it.
DeleteGood report Ray. You'll have to get that camera sorted out before the next game/show. It must have been driving you round the bend!
ReplyDeleteI definitely think this is one show to add to our annual calendar. I was cream-crakered by the time I got home but it was worth all the effort.
Definitely, we'll either have to save up more or just not spend out st SELWG.
DeleteGreat stuff.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a fantastic idea for Sedgemoor.
(Get Steiner to smile next time by poking him in the ribs just as you take the shot).
It was a great idea for Sedgemoor.
DeleteRay it looks like you had a good day there. The night time game also gives me an idea as I use markers for the units until they cane be seen and then replaced with the figures. Good pix too.
ReplyDeleteIts a great idea Steve. I may use some form of that myself in a game.
DeleteSorry to read that some of the photos were corrupted.
ReplyDeleteI love the scene where there was snow. So fun.
Cheers Ivy!
Delete❤️
DeleteGreat looking games, Ray. Interesting to see so many vehicles in the Ost Front Bolt Action game - inspiring!
ReplyDeleteLooked cool ah?
DeleteGreat to see you at Warfare, Ray. Personally, I thought it was the worst show I've seen at the Rivermead as very little caught my eye. But obviously its horses for courses. Glad you had a top time :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm not that much into science fiction or fantasy gaming like your good self, but come to think of it there wasn't much if any sci fi at the show. Great to see you again even though it was brief.
DeleteI always love seeing photos of conventions from 'across the pond'. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteNo probs AJ.
DeleteGlad you had an enjoyable return to Reading :)
ReplyDeleteCheers Tamsin, wr certainly did at that!
DeleteThose little explosions look very realistic!
ReplyDeleteCool aren't they?
DeleteGood report Ray. I like the look of the F&i wars game
ReplyDeleteYeh, it was like a smaller version of To the Strongest.
DeleteGreat report Ray, really should put it high on my visit list for next year and finally meet in person.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Matt
That'd be great Matt, you could always come and have a game with us.
DeleteSome cracking looking games Ray, that night battle was ingenious!
ReplyDeleteThat is was Sir M.
DeleteI saw you guys outside the event. I thought it was you, but wasn't sure, so I didn't go over and say Hi.
ReplyDeleteThat's a shame Carole. Next time come and say hi.
DeleteEnjoyed the report and pics.
ReplyDeleteThanks George.
DeleteSome crcking looking games there, many quite exceptional imho, well worth the trip then?
ReplyDeleteOh yes, well worth it.
DeleteDid Warfare a few times, even once with the SWMBO!
ReplyDeleteI did think you made it a few times. Many moons ago though ah Fran.
DeleteThe Sedgemoor game looks excellent,I went a couple of years ago and liked it,I think it was all a bit too busy at home for this year, some nice games and of course you needed those guns at that price!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Very pleased with the gun purchase! Enjoyed the day, it was a little cramped like you said. But if they're moving to Ascot next year that should improve?
DeleteGreat show report despite your camera not working as it should. We don't have many conventions here in western Canada so I enjoy living vicariously through your blog.
ReplyDeleteWe are very lucky where we live. We have tons of shows near us.
DeleteA great collection of games on display, and nicely documented Ray. I'm fairly sure I attended this show in 2002 when I lived in the UK, at somewhere called The Octagon from memory. It was a nice-sized show with just enough variety.
ReplyDeleteThe Octagon was a different show. We used to go to that as well. In that strange building with rooms everywhere.
DeleteWith a mezzanine floor as well, if I remember rightly. I'm really kicking myself that I didn't get to more shows in the couple of years we lived in the UK.
DeleteHi Ray, the unidentified giant tower is from The Boscombe Down & Amesbury Wargames Club. (They were at Colours earlier in the year.) Also, in that same photo in the background is the back of the Illustrious Opponent!
ReplyDeleteMissed Warfare this year due to moving house. I hear rumour it's moving to Ascot next year, another show at a racecourse. I shall have to see you at Salute next year.
Thanks for the info Peter, I'll add that to my post. We'll see you at Salute again next year then.
DeleteReally nice and informative blog, keep it up buddy…
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Delete