WMMS 2023

I have spent a happy couple of hours at WMMS, the Alumwell Wargames Society's annual show. It moved to Aldersley Leisure Village before the pandemic, indeed WMMS 2020 was the last show I attended before all the lockdown malarky started up. I went today in the company of Phil, my son Matt and my three grandsons Arthur, William and Reuben. They had a good time, as I did with them. Anyway, just a few images from the show of games or parts of games which took my fancy, all illustrating the vast well of creativity which enriches our wonderful hobby ~

It's a lifetime almost since Phil and I were the show's organisers and the world has moved on since then. Dave and Paul must be congratulated on not only keeping the show alive but in bringing it back after the enforced break. Show organisers, a much undervalued group of folk in my view.

There was a pleasing turnout from the hobby, both traders, model societies, wargames clubs and reenactors to entertain a decent number of wargamers old and young. Like other shows I've read of there was some die back of traders. The absence of Coritani surprised me, but more so of Warlord Games who it seemed just decided to drop out. If this is true it's a worrying development in my book, getting too big for your boots never a good sign. Of course rising costs will be an ongoing issue for all facets of our hobby but dropping out, while the easiest option in the short term, can only be damaging to the whole in the longer term.

I did my bit for the hobby economy: I bought the three boys some classical Greeks to paint from Colonel Bill, while for myself I bought some trees and a stream with a small bridge from The Last Valley, some brushes from ABC Brushes, and an C18th painter from Colonel Bill again.

During our enforced absences from shows one aspect I truly missed was the opportunity to meet friends and exchange news and views, putting the hobby world to rights. Today's visit was a welcome opportunity to do just that, so I caught up with Jon and was so pleased to see him well. I had a grand chat with Dave Thomas a stalwart of the hobby scene almost beyond compare. We spent a while remembering WMMS of old and reflected on changes down the years. The down side though, After two hours I was just so tired. This blasted virus has really knocked me back and no mistake: an early night in prospect for me.