Safely Back from 'The South'!

I am safely back from 'The South' and am none the worse for it! Phil, Di, Sue and I have been down to Reading over the weekend: the ladies for a shopping fest and us chaps to take in the Warfare show. It must be four or five years since Phil and I have been down for the show, which once used to be a regular on our calendar. We had a good time I think, though our plans for today's trip home were somewhat  scuppered by the tail end of Storm Angus ~ bl**dy Jocks even stealing our storms now! To be serious though for a moment, I enjoyed my day at the show. I met some good chums, who I'd not seen for a time, chatted with some new folk about their games, saw several fine games too (pictures in a minute, patience please) and, naturally spent some money on toys and sundry bits and bobs! But the real highlight was chatting with Martin and Diane from Warbases and seeing my Roman Villa prototype in the round, and watching others' reactions to the pieces. I'm really looking forward to the first one wending it's way to me in December, I have great plans for it too! Now, to the games! I should say there were others there which I didn't photograph; not because they were necessarily poorer than the ones I chose, but rather that they were in periods or scales which didn't push my buttons as a wargamer. So, here we go! First up a couple of games from the Wars of the French Revolution period: Napoleon in Egypt and the French in Fishguard ~

Napoleon in Egypt 28mm by Steve Deeprose and chum

Napoleon in Egypt 28mm by Steve Deeprose and chum

Napoleon in Egypt 28mm by Steve Deeprose and chum

Napoleon in Egypt 28mm by Steve Deeprose and chum

The French invade Wales by Tring Wargames Club

The French invade Wales by Tring Wargames Club

The French invade Wales by Tring Wargames Club

Next up, a 28mm Ancient game with lots going on to catch the eye but no attribution I can be certain of, sorry~

Now, forward in time to WWII ~

Americans in Normandy? By Huntington & District Wargames Society?

Americans in Normandy? By Huntington & District Wargames Society?

The Ardennes by Earlswood Wargames Club

The Ardennes by Earlswood Wargames Club

Now, I'll apologise again to any gamers whose noses are out out of joint because I haven't featured their games. My selection is arbitrary and purely personal, based on my interests and what I think makes a good wargames show game. The next chap along might well have totally different views and produce a different selection. One man's meat, etc...
Some other observations based on the visit after a four or five year hiatus: I've gone right off Bring and Buys, too much overpriced tatt for my tastes; shows of this size are all a bit samey, for me the standout ones have the standout games; some traders are as old, or older, than me ~ that's a worry for the future of our hobby; shows need some extra sitting space, some of us are not as young as we once were!
Frankly, there are just too many shows of the same ilk, showing the same things, far to often, taking too little notice of anything beyond the bottom line. If this sounds harsh, well, I've been a show organiser myself in the past (WMMS 1970's - 1980's) and we always strove for standout games. If it didn't measure up you weren't invited back. We wanted the show to grow for both the punters' and the traders' good.
Games presented by a couple of chaps who really want to play are counter productive, you need someone to talk to visitors about your game and its unique qualities. If, like Phil and I were before age forced our retirement from Display gaming, you are only a couple of chaps then you need to sacrifice playing for chatting to the visitors, perhaps incorporating a bit of programmed movement and activity (Dave O'Brien and Barry Hilton of the League of Augsburg are very good at this.)
Finally, 'Competition Games', what is the point? A bit like synchronised swimming if you ask me! That leads me to my final observation, what is the rationale behind a two day show? We were there on the Sunday and it was very quiet at times. Think of the traders's expenses needlessly wracked up just so some chaps can roll dice and push little men about for two days. If I were a trader I definitely would n't bother with the expense of the second day ~ think of Triples' fate...
Now, in case you think I have become a curmudgeon over the weekend, I did enjoy my visit to the show. But, it has a definite 1980's air about it: the dated sports hall venue; the poor car parking facilities; the overpriced and limited catering facilities; the general lack of care and tidyness in that area. Something else which strikes me now: the very amateur, locked in time nature of the look of many of the trade stands. The C21st has not reached some areas of our hobby yet.
For us its about as much travel time to Warfare as it is to the Partizan shows; which would  I choose if I had to? A no brainer for me, the new venue Partizan every time ~ modern venue, ample free parking, light and air, seating, only the catering letting the site down! Would I go to Warfare again? Well, yes, but not every year I think.
Finally, my loot ~

Definitely not the last of the big spenders am I? Pulp Figures' Drawing Room Detectives; Perry Miniatures French Napoleonic Staff set from Colonel Bill's; F&IW British and French Regular Infantry from Redoubt; Gamers' Grass tufts from Great Escape Games; much MDF from the kings of MDF, Warbases! Now, back to painting my French Light Infantry to complete the Light Demi-Brigade of 1793-95 in Flanders...