David Bickley's Wargames Blog

The occasional ramblings of an average gamer, journeyman painter, indifferent modeller, games designer, sometime writer for Wargames Illustrated and host of games in GHQ.



Sunday 5 October 2014

Derby Worlds

Yesterday Phil and I went to Derby Worlds, held at Castle Donnington Exhibition Centre. Unless I go to Wargamer in December this will be my last show before Partizan next May, which will be on my 65th birthday I see! So, I had preordered some more Trent Miniatures from Duncan at the September's Partizan to add to my 'Lead Pimple' {see earlier entry}. I had also scraped together enough cash to ensure I could do a little impulse shopping if the mood took me, as I expect it surely would any of us presented with the myriad of traders present at the show I was also looking forward to meeting old friends for a chat and hearing about their latest projects and tabletop exploits. I see that the new venue has provoked some strong reactions on the web, but I do like it I have to say: nearer home for a start; loads of convenient and free parking; heaps of traders and some fine games, all under one roof. Granted the light needs getting used to and does render my pictures a little greenish, as you'll see later in the post, and the floor was hard on the old knee after a few hours, but I still think its a better experience than the many roomed University venue. You are, of course, free to disagree with me on this though! There were quite a few nice games on display and I've taken the liberty of compiling a photo montage for any of you who did n't get to the show.
Like a Stonewall's 'Bulldogs and Daschunds' 1914 Mons Salient game ~

































































Another World War 1 game, the Battle of the Marne, from my old chums at Derby Wargames Society ~




















































































A super 28mm Vietnam War game from a group of friendly chaps down from Border Reivers Wargames Society ~


























































The Saga Cross and the Crescent participation game featured some smashing buildings from Adrian's Walls. I liked the mosque so much I have ordered one for collection at Partizan next year to add to Byklabad and the Rhanzlistan games ~





























A really splendid French and Indian Wars 28mm game by the Old DWA ~













































































There were many other games on show, but these were the ones that took my fancy the most. No doubt others will have different favourites based on their own preferences. A word here too about the programme: a glossy A5 effort with plan and clear lists and descriptions of the games and traders, so well done chaps! Other show organisers take note, the days of a folded A4 sheet really do belong to the 1980's you know. Finally, what did I buy? Well, here is the stash~
















Please note the plastic figures and bases from Warlord Games which were not a purchase, but a freebie in the show entry bag! I bought: Trent Miniatures French and Austrian cavalry for the Wars of the French Revolution project; some Foundry 'unlisted range' early French officers and generals, plus some Austrian cavalry characters for the same project; Indus Miniatures native Rocket Troops for the Mutiny games; some MDF oval bases from Warbases, who else? An Osprey on Foreign Troops in British Service during the Wars of the French Revolution for a bargain £3. And from Lead Adventure Miniatures, a new figure for the 'Empress of Blandings' ~























This wins my vote for quite the most outrageously expensive figure I have ever bought! But I liked the character of the pigs! Sad, or what...

8 comments:

  1. Nice pics, shame about the green tinge, but at least you could see and appreciate the games and trade goods, unlike certain large venues.
    Expensive pigs yes, but the Empress deserves no better.

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    1. A grand day out I thought, I even got used to the lights, unlike an earlier large venue as you say.

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  2. Sorry I couldn't come with you chaps to the WC's on the Sunday - but the lure of a guided walk around Edgehill was too great a lure - particularly as the weather was glorious!
    I did manage to make it over on the Saturday - I see you liked the same games as me Mr.B - obviously the were greener when you went after all the rain the day before. I think the venue is fine - for truly awful lighting then think back to the Assembly Rooms or The Black Hole of Kelham or the strange orange glow of Wargammer - as you say :it's easy to get to; loads of FREE parking; Bags of Traders; Although it was busy it was fairly easy to get around; the food and drink were fine. WE even stopped an hour longer than planned. The only downside was the man a the door managed to foist some plastic figures on me .... plastic .... indeed ..... did I look like I'm a twelve year old!

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    1. You were missed, Jon! Not surprising that we liked the same games though is it?

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  3. Thansk for posting I thought Derby was a lot busier than last year, some great games on offer and all in one place which beats the old venue.
    Cheers
    Stu

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    1. I agree, Stuart. Glad you liked the picyures.

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  4. I have those pigs - I just have to paint them.....

    Tony

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    1. The story of our lives in a sentence I feel!

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