Saturday 2 September 2017

Border Reivers Wargame Show 2017.

Well I attended Border Reiver's show at Gateshead as intended. The weather was beautiful and surprisingly sunny as I traveled into the dark domain of the Geordies. There was quite a queue outside of the Sports centre when we tipped up at the stadium, and parking was also at a premium.
John and I were hoping to offload a few unwanted items at the do it yourself bring and buy, and I had high hopes of moving on some ephemera that wargamers always seem to collect. I managed to sell about two thirds of what I brought, and managed to make a few quid for myself. I never expect to make a profit at these events, but simply recoup a few quid. The problem was I ended up buying some nice trees and hills from another wargamer running another table while I was attempting to off load my stuff. Still my intentions were pure.

The show was busy for the first couple of hours, but invariably after about 1.00pm things begin to tail off. There were less games on show this year, but a few new traders selling stuff that looked interesting but I didnt need. John and I always used to put a game on at the show when it was at the Arena venue, but it is becoming increasingly harder to find the necessary energy to stage a game.
 I often feel I should start putting on games again. But then I often feel like pulling on my old football boots, and that's not going to happen either.
Still there were a couple of qualitity games that stood out. My favourite which had been at Partizan a couple of weeks ago, put on by a group from Harrogate, and used some beautifully painted 28mm renaissance figures.I love this period in history and when you see beautifully painted toys it cant be beaten in my eyes.
Where have all the wargamers gone? Mind it was after their curfew time of 2.00pm.
There was a very nicely staged Napoleonic game using quality terrain built by the players, who happened to be selling the terrain tiles. It was very good looking terrain.
I bumped into Charlie Wesencraft one of the wargaming greats, who somehow looks younger than ever. Charlie is 90 next year. He was clutching a bag of unpainted metal he needed for a Montrose battle he is staging.


                                   And finally my favourite game of the show;
 A steam punk affair called the Invisible Men. I liked the realistic terrain and well painted invisible toys sculptured and painted by that award winning wargaming personality, John Coutts.

The reality was a misunderstanding between the shows organisers and the lads at Westerhope which led to no game being staged. All show organisers should ask for confirmations from wargamers and not expect them just to show up with a game. For once John Coutts seemed lost for words............                     Well for about five seconds.
Still I enjoyed the show and its great to bump into wargamers old and new. Thanks to the people who organised the show, and stick at it.


13 comments:

  1. I didn't see the Invisible Man game. was it any good? 😉😉😉😉

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    1. I liked the game, but the host seemed a bit 'strange.'

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  3. Buying lead at age 90 with the expectation of getting them onto the painting desk is noteworthy. Way to go, Mr. Wesencraft! I hope to be doing the same one day.

    Thanks for the show recap, Robbie.

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    1. Jonathan,
      If you ever wanted to understand why we love wargaming meet Charlie. He is knowledgeable, enthusiastic and great company.

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  4. Thought the show looked a bit tired and certainly thin on the ground game wise. Not a show I want to return to.
    Sorry we didn't get a chance for a quick chat. Will catch up at Battleground!

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    1. I had a fleeting glimpse of you Dennis before you slipped away. But,Yeah I know what you mean about tired looking. To be honest there are a couple of shows around the country that are clearly struggling for whatever reason.

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  5. I hope I'still be buying lead at the age of 90 and not the coffin version either!

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    1. Ray,
      It is always a pleasure to bump into Charlie. He is very modest about his contribution to wargaming but still remains enthusiastic about the hobby.I hope I will be as sprightly as him as I get even older.

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  6. Lovely pictures of the renaissance game, I'd better go back to prepping more Swiss pikemen!
    Best Iain

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    1. Iain, you cant beat a well painted renaissance army. The Harrogate game was no exception. Yes it was small, but the figures were beautifully done.

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  7. I would like to see a survey on what the expectations of attendees to war game shows are. Could prove enlightening.
    One thought (for what its worth) would be more company sponsored games, not just piddling little 'uns, but big epic types, with great terrain etc to showcase their products in the best possible light. Naturally still keep club and independent demo games too as they also have an important part to play. I think back to some of the shows I attended years ago and I can still remember some of the top rate games now and how good they were. My point in a nutshell is the shows should be memorable for the standard of games, get people talking about the show days, weeks even months after! A pipedream perhaps but done correctly I'm sure something like this would have a basis for success.
    End of sermon!!!

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    1. Dennis,
      I know where you are coming from on this.If you attend Salute there are many games showcasing rules and figures that are clearly paid for by companies.Unfortunately all these games are very small and have only a few figures on show.To be honest they dont inspire me, but thats my personal opinion, no doubt some wargamers love them. Shows should be about inspiring the attendees to get involved. Its always been a problem, especially in the smaller shows that are perhaps not viewed as prestigious enough to attract these games.If the Perry twins want to sponser me I am open to offers, but why would they. They turn up with their own stuff at Partizan anyway.Hopefully the large game I am putting on at Battleground will inspire you to get cracking on some painting.

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My 6mm Napoleonic set up.

My 6mm Napoleonic set up.
Austria 1809.

Austrian Hussars

Austrian Hussars
Hinchliffe figures

Austrian Grenzer

Austrian Grenzer
Austrian Grenzer

Smoggycon 2013

Smoggycon 2013
Smoggycon 2013

Smoggycon 2012

Smoggycon 2012
Smoggycon 2012

Smoogycon 2009

Smoogycon 2009
My French getting another beating