ABOUT YOU
Name:
Will ‘Mad Lemmey’ Denham
Location:
Palace of Glittering Delight, Leighton Buzzard
Do you have a pic?
Hmm… Do I HAVE to, actually, better had before Leon posts something awful!
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc94/madlemmey/me_zpsbad40159.jpg)
PAYING FOR IT!
Current occupation:
Middle School Teacher/Head of KS 2 Maths
What’s the best job you've ever had?
Van driver and shop assistant for Oddbins (and there were many perks).
What would your ideal occupation be?
Not sure, but it would involve working 12 â€" 1, with an hour off for lunch.
GETTING INTO IT!
How did you get involved in wargaming?
Airfix, like everyone born betwen 1940 and 1990. Then a friend introduced me to Warhammer 1st Edition in about 1986, playing my mates with 3 citadel figures and 90000 Ral Patha self casts! In 1988, we found a course ran by a gentleman called Ian Tanner one summer holiday at a local education centre. I was hooked and from then on was a regular at Shrewsbury Wargames Society from 14 until I went to Lancaster Uni, where I met DanJ at the 'Warriors of Loyne', great club! Then I moved 'Sarf' and found MKWS.
What was your first figure?
Not counting Airfix!? GW Dark Elf female warrior. Wonder if Techno had a hand in her? Ooo err! ;)
Do you have a favourite period/genre?
1870, WWII, Ancients (this hobby led to my MA in Later Roman Military History), Sci Fi space combat.
How big is your figure collection?
Ermmmm, I hope the Mrs doesn’t read this! By armies...
• Pendraken: 2 Corps 1870 French, 3 Corp 1870 Prussian, 1866 Saxons, Halfling and Goblins, Later Imperial Romans, American AWI.
• 28mm WHaB: Marian Roman, Medieval 100 Years English, Numidian, Vijking, Scots.
• POW: 1914 British and Germans, Maximillian Mexican and French, US Cavalry and Indians.
• DBx (and hence unused in 10 years): Later Imperial Roman, Thracian, Scots Common.
• Flames of War: British Armoured Regiment Early War, 1/KSLI Italy Company, 2/KSLI Normandy Company, Germans Dak and Grenadier early/mid/late war, too many and various, Soviet Rifle Battalion, US Armoured Company, Infantry Company and enough ½ tracks to run an armoured rifle company too!
• 18mm Napoleonics 1806 Prussians and 1815 Anglo-Allied (Great Great Grandafther was an artilleryman at Waterloo).
• Many Hundreds of 1:600 WWII planes: British, German, Finns, Russians.
• Hundreds of 1:600 Modern Planes: Korea (US & Soviet) British, Argentine and Warsaw Pact.
• 1:1250 Naval British Home Fleet.
• Sci Fi: Grymn and Kindred by Hasslefree, Star Wars by West End Game
• Sci Fi: Thousands of space ships (various makes, mostly from Drew at Studio Bergstrom)
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc94/madlemmey/Imperials.jpg)
And how big is your unpainted lead mountain?
Not as big as I thought!
- 10mm: 1870 French Imperial Guard and a Division of Prussians, Later Imperial Romans (half finished), some goblins, Falklands.
- 15mm: A few units for the Maximillian Adventure. FOW US Para company.
- 28mm a few odd and sods.
- Sci Fi: an Orc Space fleet.
- Planes: 1/600 modern French
Do you have a favourite model in your collection? And do you have a pic?
At the moment, I'm so fickle! Probably the Goblin Mage Techno built for me.
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc94/madlemmey/Fantasy%202012/019.jpg)
What is the most important aspect of wargaming for you?
Research, Starting the Project, Finishing the painting, Playing the game, making some very good friends!
PLANNING IT
What project are you currently working on?
A multi corps 1870 game for my 40th, next October. Later Imperial Romans (when I need a break from dark blue) FOW US Paras; and three stacker boxes of terrain for a friend!
And do you have any long-term projects on the go?
1870 (you might have noticed my posts on the forum…) Just started a campaign using ‘To The Last Gaiter Button’ for politics and map movement, and Black Powder for the fighting.
Do you have any wargaming influences?
Apart from the afore mentioned Mr Tanner, my other influence is my friends, especially Barrie Lovell and Mark Kapelo from Timecast, huge inspirations on my collections and painting style from when I was 14, I kept in touch over the years and spent many a drunken night with them and always popped in to see them when I was home, then I accompanied them in 2008 to Metz, Mars-La-Tours and Sedan at a whim; I just went for the beer, food and cheese, but then I was hooked on 1870 after walking both 'von Bredlow's Death Ride' and the advance of the Prussian Guard on Saint Privat- now I’m nearly 40 it’s only peer pressure (or shiny new kit) that takes me off 1870 (Hi Genorm and Going-a-viking).
BUYING IT!
Do you buy scenery, or scratch build it?
Yes. I help out with Timecast, so get some great ideas and kit from them and also build my own.
Which figure range is at the top of your request list?
1870 Guards Limber riders, but I’ve got Techno on that! ;)
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc94/madlemmey/Guards%20Artillery%20Info/gardeart11.jpg)
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc94/madlemmey/Tribble.jpg)
How did that get there!
Which individual item is at the top of your request list?
A pictish bowman.
Which wargaming websites do you visit regularly?
Pendraken Forum, Flames Of War, Starship Combat Forum, Wargames Unlimited, Field Of Glory Napoleonics.
If someone handed you £100 right now, what would you buy?
Food (wife on maternity leave, we’re a bit skint), Xmas Pressies, then any change would go on the new Star Wars X-Wing game and 1870 1st Corps French (might need them very soon).
What has been your biggest one-off purchase?
28mm Marian Roman/Spartacus Revolt Romans for WHaB.
PAINTING AND MODELLING IT!
How many hours a week do you paint?
2 â€" 15 (depending on if my youngest ever falls asleep before midnight).
What kind of technique do you use?
White undercoat, base colour, ink wash, highlight, base up. It’s basically that, but it has a lot more layers (see my AWI painting diary)
http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,3693.0.html (http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,3693.0.html)
Do you have a preferred brand of paint?
Humbrol/Coat D'Arms/Reeves/Vallejo/Revell
Do you have a painting area?
And do you have a pic? Here it is, our dining room table, covered in school planning! I have to fight for it with my daughter and the laptop, hence most of my painting is done around 9pm - midnight.
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc94/madlemmey/Picture0004.jpg)
Have you had any painting/modelling disasters?
The inevitable primer/varnish confusion and spraying varnish on a frosty night, and showing the wrong Saxon flags to Mollinary and Cameronian! :P
Do you have any painting/modelling top tips?
Never paint tired/drunk. Buy quality paints, turn off the laptop. Use Coat d'Arms Deadly Nightshade for dark blue!
PLAYING WITH IT!
How often do you get to game?
Used to be every week, but with the arrival of Rachel, about once a month :'(
Do you belong to a local club?
MKWS â€" but not the nasty competition DBMM based side.
Do you have a funny wargaming story?
Apart from a friend sitting on DanJ's 28mm Landschneckt pike block, with sharpened pikes? Nah!
And have you had any wargaming disasters?
Dropping my entire 15mm WWII german collection (3 boxes worth)! Or most times I roll a dice?
Do you prefer short games or long campaigns?
Both.
Do you have a wargames room? And do you have a pic?
No, that would be grounds for divorce! (I do have a storage garage!)
How do you store your figures?
In a garage that is not accessable by cars! Tiger Cub Deep storage boxes for 10mm: http://www.tiger-cub.co.uk/a4-deep-tuff-plastic-storage-box-175-p.asp (http://www.tiger-cub.co.uk/a4-deep-tuff-plastic-storage-box-175-p.asp), or Handy Box 7litre for 15mm WWII: http://www.staples.co.uk/office-supplies/storage-archive-organisation/storage-boxes-plastic-p2?prefix=WW (http://www.staples.co.uk/office-supplies/storage-archive-organisation/storage-boxes-plastic-p2?prefix=WW) or box files/tool boxes for others.
READING ABOUT IT!
What are you reading at the moment?
Lords of The Bow by Conn Iggulden, http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lords-Bow-Conqueror-Conn-Iggulden/dp/000735326X (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lords-Bow-Conqueror-Conn-Iggulden/dp/000735326X) Basically, I used to be a voracious reader, but my reading has dropped right off at the moment due to family and babies!
Do you have a favourite book?
'A Day of Battle' by David Ascoli and 'Wyrd Sisters' by Terry Pratchett; anything by Iain M Banks or Neal Asher.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/74/Wyrd-sisters-cover.jpg)
Do you buy any wargaming magazines, and if so, which ones?
Rarely, and only if they have an article I actually want to read.
WATCHING IT!
What are your 3 favourite films?
Casablanca, A Knight’s Tale, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
And your 3 worst?
Sonority Babes at the Slime Ball Bowlerama!, Star Wars Episode III and the last two Matrix movies!
What are your all-time Top 3 TV shows?
Timeteam, Shaun The Sheep, The Mary Whitehouse Experience
And right now?
Shaun The Sheep or the Great British Bake Off!
(http://bnbgaming.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/shaun-the-sheep.jpg)
LISTENING TO IT!
Who is your favourite band?
Led Zep/PWEI/Pink Floyd
And favourite album?
Led Zep IV, Meddle, Martyn Bennett’s 'Hardland'
And your 3 favourite songs?
PWEI: Def Con I, Led Zep: When the Levee Breaks, Madness: One Step Beyond
NOT RELATED TO IT!
What other hobbies/pastimes do you enjoy?
Cliimbing and walking, reading, cooking.
What do you drive?
A Skoda Fabi 1.2 Ambient, I love it!
Are you a breast or thigh person... ;)
Breast!
And who are your Top 3 Totty?
My wife, Kylie, Victoria Coran
(http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture/files/2010/09/coren.jpg)
Do you have a favourite quote?
"When shall we three meet again?" "I can do next Tuesday?"
About me "Have you seen Wiill, used to have long hair, get's on with everyone!"
By me (allegedly): "Who am I? Where am I? How did I get here? And… WHAT IS THAT LIZARD DOING WITH A CAN OPENER!"
If you could do anything, what would it be?
Life: Clear my debts.
Job: A climbing guide (too unfit for that now and it’s a bit flat here in Bedfordshire).
Family: The best Dad ever. Apart from that, I’m good!
8)
Great interview Lemmey. Do you have a very small chair or a very big finger ?
Why do you think my painting looks to clumsy? :D ;D
Great stuff Will !
Terrific interview.
No, I didn't have anything to do with any official female dark elves.....Though I did convert two of Trish's models into page 3 versions.
Strangely they never went on general release....can't think why. ;)
Cheers - Phil
Mad as a box of Frogs mate, mad as a box of frogs :P
Great interview, Lemmey. One thing I don't understand, however. How did an MA in Later Roman Military History get you a job as a maths teacher? XV + VII = XXII? :D
You know, I have no idea! The one subject I have never taught is... Roman History! :-\
Guess teaching runs in the blood, there are teachers on both sides of the family tree but it skipped my Mum and Dad.
I started off wanting to be a secondary history teacher, dropped out, travelled and did odd jobs, then ended up being a Primary (all subject) teacher, after which I specialised in maths because I love teaching it.
Best bit of teaching: 1) Meeting my wife. 2) That moment when the kid who has been struggling all week finally turns round and goes "Oh Yeah! I get it now..." 3) 13 weeks unpaid holidays a year! :P
Great interview!
Quote from: mad lemmey on 26 October 2012, 08:52:18 AM
You know, I have no idea! The one subject I have never taught is... Roman History! :-\
Yeah....But you're teaching me now, aren't you Will ? ;)
Cheers - Phil
Great interview. ;D
As always great to read about other members :).
Excellent - really enjoyable interview mad lemmey (funnily enough, I'm going to keep calling you that rather than Will ;))
Quote from: nikharwood on 26 October 2012, 09:41:07 PM
Excellent - really enjoyable interview mad lemmey (funnily enough, I'm going to keep calling you that rather than Will ;))
Yes, one gets accustomed. :)
Mad angry or mad insane, I'll answer to both! :D
Loved the interview, always knew you were a little MAD, now I know why :D
Andy
Another Poppies fan!
Did you get to see them on their recent(ish) tour (well I say they, I mean Graham and a new bunch of blokes- still they were pretty good though)?