Yesterday saw my annual trip to the Cotswold Wargames Day. Normally we've been blessed with lovely Autumnal weather, but this year Storm Abigail was making her presence felt, so it was a tad wet on the way up. This year the show moved from Northleach to Big Battles in Cirencester, a bespoke wargames venue. So after a rather bleary eyed drive up, I arrived an hour later to be welcomed by Andy and Derek who run the place. All was ready for the steady stream of fellow gamers to set up the tables.
My Game
Despite plenty of planning, in the end I was still painting a few units a day or so before the show, but at least managed to get enough done for a decent sized small game. My normal opponent was unable to make it, so some rapid changes were made to the scenario, which in the end worked out OK. I'll leave it to the annotated photos to give an idea of the game and some of the action.
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| An ImagiNations game set during the ACW, or at least that was the original plan. |
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| An overview of the table, with the Russo-Germanic forces on the left and the Italian-American ones on the right. |
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| The objective. |
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| Cavalry and mounted infantry. |
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| Russian troops. |
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| The Germans. |
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| Italian-American cavalry and mounted infantry. |
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| Plenty of colourful Italian-American troops. |
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| The view from the Italian-American side. |
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| Auld McDonald had a farm... |
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| Without an opponent, I finally got around to giving these scenarios a run out, despite having had the book for well over 10 years. |
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| The Russo-German orders. |
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| The Italian-American orders. |
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| The action underway. In the end, Dave Pike whom I'd not seen for well over 10 years, came to 'Billy No Mate's' rescue and promptly beat me in a fun game! |
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| Dismounted infantry hold the hill as the Italian-Americans advance. This contest lasted most of the game, with my troops finally breaking. |
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| A firefight erupts around the pond. |
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| The Italian-Americans come under intense fire at the farm. |
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| The Italian-American cavalry had no opportunity to move to exploit any open flanks. The Russo-Germans on this flank were in a great position a Turn or two on from this, to possibly move to win the game, but a Blunder led them falling back two moves! |
It was great to see Dave again and we spent an awful lot of time catching up and talking with other gamers and visitors to the show, all who seemed to enjoy seeing the game I had put on, the rules being used and showcasing 10mm figures too.
The Other Games
I tried to find some time to have a walk round the other games and to take photos of them, as there was so much to take in and enjoy as you will see.
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| A lovely 'Old School' Franco-Prussian War game, with some of the figures sculpted and cast by game organiser. Visually very pleasing on all levels. Keith Flint chose this game as his favourite and they won a £25 voucher from Pendraken, who once again kindly provided the prize. |
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| The Battle of St Gotthardt, 1664, French vs Ottomans. |
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| Dead Man's Hand game, which won the Stuart Asquith trophy and most innovative game from Chris Gregg. |
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| So much detail to be seen all across the table. |
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| The Battle of Ascalon during the Crusades. The rules were Lion Rampant. Lots for me to enjoy with my possible Crusades project in the offing. |
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| The Italian Wars game was very popular and frankly I think it hard to beat as a period fro sheer visual exuberance. |
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| All the figures from the collection of Roy Boss I believe. |
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| Paul James put on his usual BKCIV game, this time set in Russia in 1944. |
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| All Skytrex 1:200 vehicles, not something you see much nowadays. |
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| Keith Flint showcasing his Startline rules, Poland 1939. |
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| The tankettes have claimed an early kill from the above photo. |
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| Collecting the Pendraken prize for the FPW game. |
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| Two prizes for the Dead Man's Hand game. |
Post Show Thoughts
As is always the case, the day flew by so quickly, but after some seven hours of gaming and chatting, it was time to head home. A few random musings to round things off:
- The new venue great and Andy and Derek were great hosts, wandering around all day and chatting with everyone, which was lovely to see. From Keith's point of view he knows he has a gauranteed number of tables available, not something which was a given at the village hall, plus it will all be set up for him.
- I think visitors numbers were up, possibly as a result of it being in Cirencester rather than Northleach. Certainly from my point of view I spent a lot of time chatting with visitors compared to previous years.
- As always the show has a great vibe to it, feeling more like a bunch of friends getting together for a day's gaming, rather than your 'standard' show. It is good to catch up with so many gamers you've got to know over the years and of course see what they are putting on etc.
- It was nice to have plenty of interest in the game, from a rules point of view (BPII with Glory Hallelujah!), using the Programmed Wargames Scenario book and of course showcasing 10mm. I know Dave said it had re-ignited his interest in the ACW and BPII, with the possibility of him re-visiting a campaign he wanted to run before Covid put pay to that.
- I just wish I could have spent more time really having a good look at all of the games, as there was so much to see and enjoy, both figures wise, terrain wise, scenarios and rules. I suppose that is the only disadvantage of running a game.
- Being able to chew the cud with so many new and familiar faces was a real pleasure, which was something I think we all touched upon a being part-and-parcel of what makes our hobby enjoyable.
What Next?
Well I'm not sure to be honest! We did touch upon a few things at the show which I might post about later, but a bit of a break from painting for a day or so is in order I think. Certainly I'm not short of stuff to read nor ideas for games, I just need to wait until I feel what will flaot my boat next on the gaming front.
I hope you enjoyed reading the report and thanks for leaving a comment if you did!
TTFN.
It certainly sounds like a great time was had Steve. A full day gaming - what’s not to like? 😂🤣 Thanks for all the photos - the quality of the games looks great. Lots of well painted toy soldiers and some very nice terrain.
ReplyDeleteI promise it was only for a split second that I wondered about your Italian American force (surely Don Corleone never had that many men?). Just kidding.
Cheers,
Geoff
It was a good day out Geoff and we all commented on how nice it is to just meet up, chat, play some games etc, without the usual hustle and bustle of a 'normal' show. Funnily enough we did say Don Corleone was in charge of one of the brigades!
DeleteWhaaatttt? Don Corleone? Perhaps I am psychic after all. Who knew?
DeleteNow, this weeks winning lottery numbers are … nah, it’s not happening I’m afraid 😉
Good stuff Steve a good mix of games on show and a good opportunity to spend the day wargaming 👍
ReplyDeleteThanks Matt and always a good mix on show, which is nice to see.
DeleteGlad your game worked out well Steve... shame that running a game means little spare time for a look around but that's always going to be the case. The pictures you managed to get all look excellent! Looking forward to seeing what grabs your fancy next.
ReplyDeleteThanks Keith! Not being able to have a good look round is a first World problem for sure, but on the flip side it did mean I got to chat to lots of people over my game:).
DeleteYour game set up looks fab especially considering that this was an "Away" game. Great job! Too bad that your opponent could not make it but lucky for you to find a last-minute recruit. At CWD, are all of the games preset with players committed beforehand or are drop ins welcome and encouraged? Looks like a fun day out for you. Alt-ACW? I do not understand such concepts...
ReplyDeleteThanks Jon! One advantage of my modular terrain is that it's very easy to take on the road so to speak. I think most games have opportunities for people to drop in, which is good. Certainly the Italian Wars game had lots of interest and they managed two games, using home brewed quick play rules.
DeleteWell the 'ACW' setting was purely a way of hanging a very tenuous storyline from which to set up the game and the scenario. In keeping with the rhubard settings over the years, Garibaldi and chums had come over from Italy, as they had found out that the Germans in the Valley, abetted by some Russians coming inland from the West Coast, were adulterating Garibaldi biscuits with rhubarb.
I think the rhubard storyline has run its course, so need to come up with some proper ImagiNations countries/states for future games. Some ideas in the back of my mind that need firming up...
Yes, I failed mention that the Italian Wars' game was lovely.
DeleteI probably only captured about 1/5th of the troops on display. Aside from so much colour etc, it was a vexillogist's paradise!
DeleteHi Steve, thanks for all the pics, every table looked good with a good spread of interests. When you mentioned the Skytrex 1/200 I had a nostalgia smile, as back in the day, I collected heavily. I am really surprised that Warlord Games have not had Skytrex push this range, I would have thought the range was a prime reason for the acquisition.
ReplyDeleteYour game looked a treat and I was especially interested to see you reach for the programmed scenarios book, the use of which is probably worth a post on its own.
It was a good mix of periods, scales, levels of game etc, so something for everyone really. Skytrex takes me back too, but I never got round to collecting them.
DeleteGlad you liked my game and having finally dabbled in the Programmed Wargames Scenarios book, I hope to give it a proper run out at home. Fingers crossed a post or two will follow in due course...
Some great looking games on show, loads of great tables and miniatures. Your one is very interesting and I hope you do add some more background to it as it will add even more to it, your table and figures looked great, really well done.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed my overview of the show Donnie, ditto my game too! I've just been roughing out ideas for more background info, so watch this space...
DeleteGlad your game worked out. Looked good too. And the rest of the games kinda cool.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the show has a nice vibe to it. 😀
Thanks Stew! The shows always good with a real mix of games and a lovely vibe to it too.
DeleteSad I missed this fantastic day out, however I was ill and unable to drive.
ReplyDeleteFantastic looking game Steve as were they all.
Willz.
Sorry you couldn't make it this year Willz due to having Covid, as you were missed and your game too.
DeleteA great report Steve, and super to have some time with you again. So as not to mislead anyone with your caption to the Dead Man's Hand Western game, it was Ian Bailey's friend Paul responsible for the magnificent table spread and I could not resist awarding them my small painting as a prize for "Best Presented game".
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris and good to catch up with you too! Thanks for the clarification on the DMH game which certainly was a stunner.
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