The Durham show is one of our favourite ones on the circuit, held in the Durham Wargames Group's own premises, with a really nice friendly atmosphere. This year they had expanded it a little and crammed a couple more traders into the two halls which the show makes use of. There was possibly a little too much cramming going on in the smaller hall, as it was quite difficult to get around the stands properly, even getting past other people was tricky! Growth is a good sign though, and there were a good number of people as usual at this show.
The event opened a little early, around 9:45 I think, and there was a decent crowd outside waiting to get in at that time. Numbers and trade was brisk through the morning half, with several Forum members wandering by to chat, including Luddite, Spenno, and brothercrow. Forum member Lardy Rich was also there, putting on a display of his 'I Ain't Been Shot Mum' rules, on the table just in front of us.
Dave managed to bump into an old mate of his who now lives in South Africa, so they both disappeared at lunch time to the local pub. Pie, chips and 3 pints later he was looking a little worse for wear and took it easy for most of the afternoon! Luckily for Dave, but not for trade, the afternoon was pretty quiet, and the show slowly died down until we started packing away just before 3pm.
Durham club members were on hand as usual to help us pack away, so thanks to them for that. Especially as the heavens had opened again and it was decidedly soggy outside! From chatting with some of the Durham club chaps, it looks like a few of them will be coming down to the Birthday Bash, so we hope to see you there!
So on to the pics! There were only 3 games on show at this one, but each one was very well done. There was nearly also a 4th 'surprise' set of pics, as I accidentally stumbled into the Pole Dancing class which was taking place in one of the other rooms on the way to the Bring and Buy... Accidentally I repeat... :-[
ACW:
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/PendrakenMiniatures/Durham%202012/Game1-1.jpg)
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/PendrakenMiniatures/Durham%202012/Game1-2.jpg)
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/PendrakenMiniatures/Durham%202012/Game1-3.jpg)
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/PendrakenMiniatures/Durham%202012/Game1-4.jpg)
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/PendrakenMiniatures/Durham%202012/Game1-5.jpg)
WWI, Durham Wargames Group:
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/PendrakenMiniatures/Durham%202012/Game2-1.jpg)
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/PendrakenMiniatures/Durham%202012/Game2-2.jpg)
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/PendrakenMiniatures/Durham%202012/Game2-3.jpg)
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/PendrakenMiniatures/Durham%202012/Game2-4.jpg)
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/PendrakenMiniatures/Durham%202012/Game2-5.jpg)
WWII, Too Fat Lardies, using the 'I Ain't Been Shot, Mum' rules, in 10mm!
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/PendrakenMiniatures/Durham%202012/Game3-1.jpg)
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/PendrakenMiniatures/Durham%202012/Game3-2.jpg)
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/PendrakenMiniatures/Durham%202012/Game3-3.jpg)
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/PendrakenMiniatures/Durham%202012/Game3-4.jpg)
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/PendrakenMiniatures/Durham%202012/Game3-5.jpg)
We also had two more volunteers into the new helmet, and these chaps were a little more dressed for the part than usual!
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/PendrakenMiniatures/Durham%202012/Hat1.jpg)
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/PendrakenMiniatures/Durham%202012/Hat2.jpg)
Next up on the show calendar is Phalanx, down in St Helens, so we hope to see some of you there! After that, it's not long now until our Birthday Bash, so make sure you make it along to that!
8)
Cool - you sure you didn't get any pole-dancing pics mate? :D
They are rather distracting young fillies...
Was the Durham Show a day event?
It only had three games being run all day?
Was the rest of the event mainly traders and the bring and buy?
Just curious as to what "shows" are really like on that side of the pond ;)
Quote from: Blaker on 13 June 2012, 12:02:20 AM
Was the Durham Show a day event?
It only had three games being run all day?
Was the rest of the event mainly traders and the bring and buy?
Just curious as to what "shows" are really like on that side of the pond ;)
The Durham show is one of the smaller events on the circuit (with no disrespect to the show or club), held in their own clubhouse, so space is an issue unfortunately. This year they moved one of the display games out of the main halls to allow for a couple more traders. It's a great day out though, really nice atmosphere and lots of friendly faces to chat to!
If you look at all the shows across the full season, there's a huge amount of variation in them. You get the local single day events like Durham, which have 10-15 traders and attract a couple of hundred visitors, and then you go all the way up to Salute, which is in a major exhibition centre with 140-ish (?) traders and knocking on for 5000 visitors!
8)
Quote from: Blaker on 13 June 2012, 12:02:20 AM
Was the Durham Show a day event?
It only had three games being run all day?
Was the rest of the event mainly traders and the bring and buy?
Just curious as to what "shows" are really like on that side of the pond ;)
I thought much the same thing, Blaker. Mind you, our club would kill for a venue big enough to hold a convention in. :(
Quote from: Blaker on 13 June 2012, 12:02:20 AM
Was the Durham Show a day event?
Yep.
Quote
It only had three games being run all day?
Yep.
Quote
Was the rest of the event mainly traders and the bring and buy?
Yep.
Quote
Just curious as to what "shows" are really like on that side of the pond ;)
I believe that shows in the UK and the US are very different things really, and as Leon says here in the UK they vary immensely.
DWG is a small 'local' show as opposed to one of the major 'events'.
I think that variation makes the UK hobby 'scene' a very interesting one.
Thanks Leon and Luddite ;)
That is pretty cool that a club could hold a one day event in their home digs :D
I agree that in the US we mainly have what we call "conventions", those run anywhere from a 3 day to a 4 or 5 day event (cant remember HistoriCon if it is 4 or 5 days) We do have a few one day events scattered about, but they are usually held at a local hotel space. There is a good one up in Dallas called Skirmish, has several vendors and multiple games being run all day long with a tournament or two thrown in to boot :D
I think the UK has a better or more organized show circuit that in the US. We have several "cons" that schedule their events on the same weekend sometimes and sometimes not 8)
Anyway, thank you for explaining,
cya