Feeling left out

[Bodvoc]

I think all the adverts in the glossy magazines and on the internet tend to spoil anything that may be 'new' at a show as we have all seen everything before we go. I also find the price of travel restricts how far I am willing to go. Having said that I am hoping to go to Triples this year for the first time in several years as I hopefully have a couple of friends car-sharing with me thus reducing the cost.

[Last Hussar]

I know Campaign, I just didn't know it was called that- did a game with the Tring club there a few years back.  Because it's close and free its more dangerous

[skywalker]

But no one has mentioned the best show on the Wargaming calendar ............BATTLEGROUND 

[Hertsblue]

I was at Salute yesterday as a demonstrator and I must admit that without the free entry and free parking I would have thought twice about going. That said, I thought the crowds were bigger than last year and the queue at the Forge World stand was 20-30 yards long pretty well all day. There were a lot of high quality games there - quite a few in 10mm - and a really impressive six foot long, LED lit, space battleship which must have cost a fortune to put together.

From the point of view of the groups putting on games, I would point out that that the majority of the general public seem not to like being engaged in conversation by the players, and tend to shy away when engaged. Perhaps they think we're going to try to sell them something, or maybe they're just not interested in the game.  We managed to persuade some interested parties to join in our Old West shoot-em-up participation games, although we offered the chance to many more during the day. Those that played seemed to enjoy themselves.

The venue is big, and the concrete floor is unforgiving, it must be said (reminds me of my days as a security guard in the Pan Am warehouse at Heathrow back in the seventies), but there is plenty of room to spread out and there is none of the sidling sideways crush that there used to be at the old Kensington Town Hall or Olympia venues. I admit that if I had to get there from Scotland or the West Country I probably wouldn't bother, but then, I don't go to Edinburgh or Exeter either.     

[Steve J]

I must admit that without the free entry and free parking I would have thought twice about going.

If I had driven down on my own, paid for an advanced ticket and then parked at the venue, I would have shelled out £75 .

[Maenoferren]

Yep, the last time I got to a show was Glasgow around 2010. The only reason I got there then was that I was down with work and the flights worked.

[Sandinista]

Travel & entry was £22 for me yesterday

Cheers
Ian

[John Cook]

Anyone else feeling left out

Haven't attended a show in years - mainly due to cost. 

Travelling to and from anywhere in East Anglia is simply extortionate and more to the point downright painful. They always seem to be too far away from Payday (although Salute this year fell on payday but I'm having to watch the pennies as paying for accomodation and meals on my course which has wreaked havoc with my bank account!

Feeling distinctly isolated

Wait until you get to a certain age.  Huntingdon to Kings X on my 'Old Wrinklies' travel card, £11.50 return.  You see, you have something to look forward to 

[kustenjaeger]

What tipped me over into going was the realisation that as I now work in Canary Wharf (when I am not travelling) I was paying for a weekly season ticket that covered the transport. So the total cost was just £10 to get in (and the purchases and the £15.75 buying a 3 drink round for friends ...).

I didn't go last year. It certainly seemed busy this year.

I thought some of the games were interesting.  A nice little RF&F game with rolling terrain and few units demonstrated I didn't have to paint zillions of 10mm ACW to get s game.  There was a nice display of 10mm gunboats and 10mm coastal defences, set in Spain. 

Regards

Edward.

[Subedai]

I make it to Wargamer in B'ham (now Halesowen!) and WMMS in Wolves, and that's it - and that's only cos they're both local!

What happened to the show that used to be at Great Barr Leisure Centre later in the year, is that one still alive?

[Leman]

Isn't that the one that used to be on the day after Phalanx when Phalanx was a September show?

[Orcs]

Campaign is in Milton Keynes, in front of JohnLewis in the shopping centre!
All welcome.
'Lets go shopping dear, oh look, Toy soldiers!'

Mrs Orcs does not like shopping, and lets me go to shows as and when I want.

[Orcs]

I was at Salute yesterday as a demonstrator and I must admit that without the free entry and free parking
     

How on earth did you get free parking??  Went as a trader and it cost us £15

[Subedai]

Isn't that the one that used to be on the day after Phalanx when Phalanx was a September show?

Don't know, heard of Phalanx but that's where my knowledge ends. Liverpool?

Thought it used to be in early December as I remember walking to it in the freezing cold and peeing down rain...mind you in the Wet Midlands that could have been September I suppose.

[Subedai]

How on earth did you get free parking??  Went as a trader and it cost us £15

Just proves that it's not what you know but who you know. 

[Leman]

Although technically Phalanx is in Merseyside, it is actually in St.Helens which is proper yowky territory. They don't even play football with a round ball!

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Or enough players -

IanS

[Womble67]

Anyone else feeling left out

Haven't attended a show in years - mainly due to cost. 

Travelling to and from anywhere in East Anglia is simply extortionate and more to the point downright painful. They always seem to be too far away from Payday (although Salute this year fell on payday but I'm having to watch the pennies as paying for accomodation and meals on my course which has wreaked havoc with my bank account!

Feeling distinctly isolated

Just an idea but would it be possible for you to car share with some other local wargamers, split the cost plus I think it's more enjoyable when you go with friends.

Take care

Andy

[Subedai]

Just an idea but would it be possible for you to car share with some other local wargamers, split the cost plus I think it's more enjoyable when you go with friends.

Take care

Andy

I remember having wargaming friends.   

[fsn]

You still have wargaming friends. They're just virtual.