Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Pendraken News & Info! => Previous Years => Shows => 2015 Show Stuff => Topic started by: Leon on 25 June 2015, 12:45:37 AM

Title: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Leon on 25 June 2015, 12:45:37 AM
A great 2-day event down in Reading, at the Rivermead Sports Complex on the 14th & 15th November.  More info can be found here: http://www.wargamesassociationreading.co.uk/ (http://www.wargamesassociationreading.co.uk/) and we'll need any pre-orders in to us before Sat 7th.

8)
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Chris Pringle on 25 June 2015, 08:35:45 AM
Excellent show indeed. We will be running a Bloody Big Battles participation/demo game at Warfare, probably Franco-Prussian War (with Pendraken figures, of course). So put it in your diary, come on down to Reading, roll some dice with us, have a good time, and then pick up your new FPW armies from Leon.  :)

Chris

Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BBB_wargames/info
http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.co.uk/
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 25 June 2015, 12:59:32 PM
I'll be there.
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Leman on 25 June 2015, 04:48:16 PM
Might make that the excuse to go and see my brother and get the lift along the M4.
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: magwr on 04 August 2015, 07:17:48 PM
Chris,

I'll be coming to warfare (doing usual wings participation game for two days) so great to see that you are running a BBB game. I'll certainly like to participate to see how the rules go.

Nigel
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Chris Pringle on 04 August 2015, 09:38:14 PM
Nigel,

Great - I'll look forward to seeing you there.

Chris
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Leman on 05 August 2015, 08:46:00 AM
Can confirm that I, my brother and nephew will all be there (not my son - he rather disapproves of martial interests). Hope to see some of you southerners when I go. Staying over in Reading (Novotel) so will be there Sunday as well.
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Chris Pringle on 05 August 2015, 09:28:12 AM
Hi Leman, I plan to be there both days too. It'll be good to meet you and the rest of your clan then.

Chris
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Leman on 05 August 2015, 03:59:42 PM
If it's a participation FPW I'd happily give it a go.
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Chris Pringle on 05 August 2015, 05:04:10 PM
Yes, the plan is to repeat our successful FPW participation game that we ran at Abingdon. It would be great to have you and yours join in. And indeed any other Forum members who may be passing.

The scenario will be the battle of St Quentin, 1871 - not just the assault of 19 January (which was a straight attack-defence and therefore of rather limited interest as a game), but the very mobile fighting on 18 January as well, complete with wagon trains.

(Incidentally, I've been playtesting an ACW scenario for the Battle of The Wilderness over the past few weeks, and was struck by how structurally similar the two battles are: a numerically superior army, advancing on two axes and encumbered by wagon trains, gets struck in flank by an aggressive and qualitatively superior force, likewise advancing on two axes. Quite different in other respects, of course, but the distinctive geometry makes for a great game in each case.)

Chris
Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BBB_wargames/info
http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.co.uk/
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: capthugeca on 05 September 2015, 09:12:19 AM
I plan to be there but can only do the Sunday afternoon.
Does anyone know what time it finishes on the Sunday?
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Leman on 05 September 2015, 03:05:51 PM
My best guess would be 4pm.
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Leon on 05 September 2015, 08:55:05 PM
Quote from: capthugeca on 05 September 2015, 09:12:19 AM
I plan to be there but can only do the Sunday afternoon.
Does anyone know what time it finishes on the Sunday?

Officially I think Leman is about right with 4pm, but the Sunday's tend to be quieter and most of the traders will have started packing away before 3pm usually.  We've got a 5-hour drive back up north after a long weekend, so we'll be hoping to be on road by 5pm if we can.
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 06 November 2015, 08:30:51 AM
Aaagh! Must get my order in tonight...  :o :!! :-SS @-)
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Aksu on 06 November 2015, 08:40:48 AM
I'll pop by on Saturday. Time to make a list of lace goodies to pick up :)
Cheers,
Aksu
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Steve J on 06 November 2015, 09:28:21 AM
Would like to pop down by most likely doing family stuff. The FPW game sounds good and of great interest. You never know...
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: fsn on 06 November 2015, 12:35:29 PM
In other contexts that sentence could be so wrong.

Or so right?
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: NeilCFord on 06 November 2015, 02:35:33 PM
Definitely going to be there on the Saturday as I have a metric f*ck tonne of stuff to collect.

- Neil.
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: fsn on 06 November 2015, 05:15:45 PM
Ah! For a moment there I thought you meant Fetric McTonne. who was the well known Scottish poet and nationalist, who spent the 1840s hiding in the heather from the redcoats who weren't looking for him. He is well known to Pendraken through the conversation he had with our own Techno whom he met under a cairn on Skye in October 1843. Techno had set out three months earlier to buy a pair of shoes in Milford Haven, but had turned right at his gate instead of left, and become "a bit lost".

Their conversation was recorded by McTonne in his diary: "Today I was discovered by a strange figure. At first I thought that some evil nightmare had risen from a cold grave to haunt me, sent no doubt by the accursed witch-queen." (editors note: McTonne always referred to the young Queen Victoria as "the accursed witch-queen") It shuffled on bleeding feet, unshod apart from the uppers of a pair of pinchbeck shoes which flapped about its ankles as it gibed along the road. For the rest of its attire there was naught but some kind of sheet or shroud wrapped around a bony body, and of its face I could see nothing, for it was so wreathed in long, white, matted hair - as one would see on the rear portions of unclipped sheep - as to leave naught of the features that would distinguish it as human.

Coming upon me suddenly, crouched under my cairn, it started in, I suppose, fright. Certainly it gave physical evidence of distress. It backed away some ten paces, then ten paces more when I brandished my dirk. Perceiving no other life, the weird creature could find no succour to its distress but to approach me. It advanced, as nervous as a kitten in a dog-yard and I could see that it struggled to form sound kind of human speech. Throaty noises, growls and whines emitted from the matted and filthy head, until I could discern the first stirrings of intelligence. The wretched creature gave a mighty cough, and from somewhere in its hairy countenance flew the bone of some creature that had the ill luck to cross its path.

'Excuse me.' It said. 'Could you tell me the way to Milford Haven?' I pondered this request.
'No. Be off and take that physical sign of distress with you!' I replied.
'Thank you very much.' responded the creature.  It then turned in all directions, until seeing one that it found more pleasing, or less displeasing than the others, it stumbled off. 

I never saw it again."

Editor's note. Techno eventually made the Milford Haven shoe shop in 1848. It took him a further two years to find his way home, by which time his shoes were worn out.
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 06 November 2015, 06:56:54 PM
Oik!

Order is in! :)
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Techno on 06 November 2015, 07:03:39 PM
You are dog meat ! (Again.....You Oik, Nobby !)  ;D
(Me !!.....Make a pair of shoes last two years ?.....I think not...... I'm really lucky if I get 6 months wear out of them.)
Cheers - Phil.
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Aksu on 06 November 2015, 07:58:44 PM
Order sent. Must not run out of unpainted shiny toys  ;)
Cheers,
Aksu
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Westmarcher on 06 November 2015, 08:02:11 PM
Quote from: fsn on 06 November 2015, 05:15:45 PM
Ah! For a moment there I thought you meant Fetric McTonne. who was the well known Scottish poet and nationalist etc.

Classic!  ;D ;D =D>  =D>

P.S. We know about Techno but whatever happened to Fetric McTonne?
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Leon on 06 November 2015, 08:26:35 PM
Orders received, we'll get those done!

8)
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: fsn on 06 November 2015, 08:30:59 PM
Fetric McTonne? It was really sad actually. After his encounter with Techno, he realised that his great idea (a very simple and yet elegant solution to the Schleswig-Holstein Problem) had gone from his brain. He became convinced that his shaggy visitor had magicked his idea from him on the behest of the accursed Witch-Queen. In order to break the spell, he searched Skye for the shaman, and then the other Hebrides, his search ending in Milford Haven, where he arrived at least 4 years before Techno. Searching for a person with a face like a sheep's bum in Milford Haven is a bit like looking for a gentlemen in the Royal Horse Guards, and so after weeks of fruitless searching, Fetric set up a cobblers shop.

Fetric should have stuck to his last, for he was a terrible shoe repairer. One day, he managed to drive a small nail into his thumb. He ignored the minor injury, but it soon became infected and he died.  

Ironically, his funeral was halted by a shambling figure asking for directions.
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Westmarcher on 06 November 2015, 09:11:28 PM
 ;D

Quote from: fsn on 06 November 2015, 08:30:59 PM
Fetric McTonne? ...... One day, he managed to drive a small nail into his thumb. ........

Were he and Techno brothers?
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Techno on 06 November 2015, 10:26:05 PM
S*d off.....The pair of you.  :P
Today.....For the first time in ages, I managed to stick a scalpel in my thumb.......Opening a package from that nice Mr Leon.*
(I can never open those brown padded envelopes without the fluffy padding going all over the floor. X_X )

Cheers - Phil

*Don't worry Leon......I've cleaned all the blood from those two figures.  :D
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Westmarcher on 06 November 2015, 11:12:12 PM
Quote from: Techno on 06 November 2015, 10:26:05 PM
S*d off.....The pair of you.  :P
Today.....For the first time in ages, I managed to stick a scalpel in my thumb.......Opening a package from that nice Mr Leon.*
(I can never open those brown padded envelopes without the fluffy padding going all over the floor. X_X )

Cheers - Phil

*Don't worry Leon......I've cleaned all the blood from those two figures.  :D


;D  ;D
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Ithoriel on 07 November 2015, 02:13:22 AM
Quote from: Techno on 06 November 2015, 10:26:05 PM
(I can never open those brown padded envelopes without the fluffy padding going all over the floor. X_X )

Brown padded envelopes don't faze me, too much practice opening them when working in IT. Did remind me of an incident though.

Server Tech: Paddy bag, open it for me, would you.
Me: It's parts for the server, why don't you open it?
Server Tech: Reception got a bomb in a paddy bag the other day!
Me: It was an incendiary that would have been hard pushed to light a cigarette. Besides, Mail Room are checking all the packages as a result.
Server Tech: Can you set up this server?
Me: Possibly ... but probably not.
Server Tech: Do you want to explain to the boss why I couldn't set this server up in time?
Me: !!! Pass me that bag!

Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Fenton on 07 November 2015, 08:01:52 AM
Quote from: Techno on 06 November 2015, 10:26:05 PM
S*d off.....The pair of you.  :P
Today.....For the first time in ages, I managed to stick a scalpel in my thumb.......Opening a package from that nice Mr Leon.*
(I can never open those brown padded envelopes without the fluffy padding going all over the floor. X_X )

Cheers - Phil

*Don't worry Leon......I've cleaned all the blood from those two figures.  :D


Unbelievable!.

I think this is apt its a  quote that famous play  by Dai the Scribbler The Sculptor of Pembroke

If we get within 10 feet of  a workbench, do we not bleed?

I can't remember the rest just at the moment
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: fsn on 07 November 2015, 10:50:47 AM
Good news! I chanced upon "Fectric McTonne: A Caledonian Ovid Improved" by William McGonnagall who somehow got hold of Fectric's papers and published them in  single volume. Here is an unfinished ode called "The Spectre from Milford Haven sent to me by the Accursed Witch Queen". 

One day as I lay 'neath my cairn,
not doing much, just sort of starin',
it chanced my eye should fall upon
a ghastly ghost! Then it was gone,
Much vexed, I bit upon my lip,
but it had just walked in a dip,
so up it popped, how did it come
to look just like an old ewe's bum?
It shuffled on. Did it choose
to wear no soles upon its shoes?
Soon o'er me the ghost stood loomin'
and in a voice that seemed not human
it asked me quite politely will
I point the route, the way to Mill-
ford Haven but I said "nay"
and bade him be upon his way.

Why it was, I do not know
that when I told the spectre "go",
I withheld from him that o'er that hill
lay a sloop bound for Mill-
ford Haven. Had he gone that way
home he's be in just a day.

But alas the spectre did as bid
and my great idea the monster hid
from me and now my mind is blank
I think I'll go and have a ...
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Leman on 07 November 2015, 10:58:08 AM
Must be dedicated to FSN - " now I'll go and have a tank."
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: fsn on 07 November 2015, 01:40:36 PM
You're the only one who came up with that rhyme!
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Techno on 07 November 2015, 01:42:38 PM
 X_X

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: O Dinas Powys on 08 November 2015, 11:36:29 AM
Bother, don't think I'm going to make it this year  :(

Too much real life: loft conversion and new kitchen to sort out!  :'(

Anyway, have fun and I'll see you next year!  I'll just have to console myself with a Christmas order to Pendraken  :D

Cheers!

Meirion
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Techno on 08 November 2015, 12:21:03 PM
Why are you putting a kitchen in your loft, Meirion ?
(Or have I got that wrong ?)  ;)
Cheers - Phil.
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Westmarcher on 08 November 2015, 12:31:20 PM
Where else would you have a high tea?   :P

[grabs coat and runs away ...]
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Techno on 08 November 2015, 04:45:43 PM
Go away !  ;)

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: O Dinas Powys on 08 November 2015, 06:17:03 PM
Quote from: Techno on 08 November 2015, 12:21:03 PM
Why are you putting a kitchen in your loft, Meirion ?
(Or have I got that wrong ?)  ;)
Cheers - Phil.

It's all part of a new fitness regime: when you have to walk two flights of stairs to get the milk and then remember you forgot the butter the miles soon add up... ;)

Cheers!

Meirion
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: NeilCFord on 13 November 2015, 05:06:26 PM
For ease of spotting tomorrow, ive decided to go with a subtle t-shirt...

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5712/22962429396_2c31ca43c2.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/AZ7sg7)

Hopefully bump in to some of you.

- Neil.
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 13 November 2015, 05:13:45 PM
Mine will say "Mapuche Patrol"!
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Leman on 13 November 2015, 08:21:17 PM
Tomorrow will be general mooching about in my flash black Lance and Longbow polo shirt and my old school Lanyard with a Leman moniker. Sunday I will be in the BBB game wearing my olive green 10mm T shirt. Sounds like I work for J-P Gaultier. See you around folks.
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: NeilCFord on 14 November 2015, 12:13:50 PM
Well the show is heaving! Have visited our hosts and picked up pre-orders and a few extra bits. Plenty of stuff to see, but am manfully resisting temptation. Not that I won't succumb at some point in the future.

- Neil.
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Techno on 14 November 2015, 12:17:05 PM
I still want to know how Leman manages to fit in such a small t-shirt.
Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Steve J on 14 November 2015, 01:02:32 PM
I'm sure that the weather will boost attendance, which is nice for the organisers, traders etc but not always welcome by the attendees. Last time I went it was hard to move around the main hall of traders and that was on a Sunday. The gaming hall itself wasn't too bad.
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Aksu on 14 November 2015, 01:49:42 PM
A couple of quick snaps from Warfare at http://www.the-ancients.com/gemigabok/
Wallet is now light but bag is heavy with Pendraken goodies.
Cheers, Aksu
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: NeilCFord on 14 November 2015, 05:55:58 PM
Indeed, the main hall was very cramped. Some stalls had wider isles than the main thoroughfares. Organisers need to accept that the average wargamer has got a little bit larger over the years.

- Neil.
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Leman on 16 November 2015, 08:07:41 AM
Well , that was a great weekend. Met up with my brother and nephew at the show as well as the other two lads from the Liverpool club I'd come down to do a participation game with. It was a quick and bloody crossing of the Volga by Soviet troops using FOW. The Germans were designed to be destroyed, so the game was mostly played with two Russians attempting to see whose command would be first to take the section of German defences in front of them, without losing too many bases. Great fun and superior quality vodka (well it would be rude not to!).  Meanwhile my brother was busy having it handed to him on a plate in the Saga competition. I had a particularly good Sunday afternoon playing the 1871 St.Quentin BBB scenario with rules author Chris Pringle and friends. It was a terrific game with Prussian reinforcements turning up on day two in an attempt to capture the French supply trains and the towns of St.Quentin and Gricourt. The Prussians managed to block the road to Paris and destroy a number of French units, but in the very last move, as the Prussian cavalry attempted to ride into the two empty towns, a flurry of activity from the French destroyed them, turning a possible Prussian victory into a draw. It was great to meet Chris and have a chat with him, and he and his team were very friendly and welcoming. It was also great to find I'd been playing the game in the way it was intended. Now fired up to put on another FPW scenario at the club. To be honest I didn't find getting around the trade stands too difficult, although I did get rucksacked on one occasion. Seemed to be plenty going on at the Pendraken stand and as well as my order I picked up a Pict army pack.  However, despite wearing what I said I would wear, including my Leman lanyard, the only people who recognised me were Chris, Leon and Dave. Maybe at York then.
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Chris Pringle on 16 November 2015, 01:27:45 PM
Warfare was an absolute blast. Great to meet a few of the stalwarts of this parish. A real pleasure to roll dice with Leman. Nice of Leon to stop by our game; I hope we encouraged some custom for Pendraken.

It was thoroughly enjoyable and successful and I am keen to do another such event sooner rather than later.

Chris
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 16 November 2015, 04:57:18 PM
The game looked awesome Chris, as to the Volga scenario, well done guys!;)
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Chris Pringle on 16 November 2015, 05:07:31 PM
Cheers Lem - good to meet you!

Chris
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Leman on 16 November 2015, 06:01:13 PM
And you too Chris. What a terrific time was had by all.
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: NeilCFord on 16 November 2015, 06:09:38 PM
Based on reports, if I return next year, it will probably be on the Sunday. Seems it was nowhere near as crowded and hence, stressful.

That said, was glad I went.

- Neil.
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Steve J on 16 November 2015, 07:50:48 PM
Sundays generally are a much better day to attend shows. Traffic much quieter and the shows less packed. You can normally enjoy yourself (famous last words).
Title: Re: Show: Warfare, Reading
Post by: Leon on 16 November 2015, 08:20:49 PM
We had a great weekend, loads of customers and friendly faces knocking about.  Not as many forum guys as previous years but still a few!  Sales weren't quite up to last years levels (due to the return of Colours) but still a solid weekend trading and an enjoyable couple of days.  As an added bonus, that's the last show this year that we have to travel to, so it's nice not to have to sit in that van until 2016!

8)