Carronade, Falkirk - Sat 25th Sept

[Leon]

After a long 18 months we're finally going to a wargames show!  Our first event since the pandemic hit will be Carronade in Falkirk, taking place on Saturday 25th September.  

You can place your pre-orders through our website by selecting the 'Collect at Show' delivery option and then entering the event you would like to collect from in the comments box on the following page.  Payment can be made in advance by card/PayPal or you can choose to pay on the day.  Please make sure to place your pre-orders at least 7 days in advance of the event.

More info on Carronade can be found here: http://www.falkirkwargamesclub.org.uk/Carronade_2021_Home.php

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Bit far for me....

[Genom]

Heads up especially for those who may be traveling across that border that in Scotland current guidelines for indoor spaces is that masks should be worn and social distancing (approx 1m, 3 feet, or 1 yard) should be adhered to. (medical exceptions apply etc)

There is also talk up here about things similar to the vaccine passport that England is getting but it's still being debated so we don't know if/when that might take effect from but early media speculation on the size of events means it will affect the show if it comes into effect before the show date.

Stay safe and we'll see you there.

[Leon]

Heads up especially for those who may be traveling across that border that in Scotland current guidelines for indoor spaces is that masks should be worn and social distancing (approx 1m, 3 feet, or 1 yard) should be adhered to. (medical exceptions apply etc)

There is also talk up here about things similar to the vaccine passport that England is getting but it's still being debated so we don't know if/when that might take effect from but early media speculation on the size of events means it will affect the show if it comes into effect before the show date.

Stay safe and we'll see you there.

Thanks for the info, we'll be wearing our masks and I'm hoping to adjust the trade stand a bit to allow us some 'safe space' at the back/side of it.  We'll make sure to have our Covid passports sorted as well.

[paulr]

Definitely a bit far for me

I hope it goes well for all involved, stay safe

[steve_holmes_11]

I shall be there.
Carronade is my favourite show, and warrants my support after these tough times.

I'm working on an order to collect at the show.
I don't anticipate staying for the whole show, but long enough to get about and collect purchases.

[Ithoriel]

Maybe next year .... or the year after.

[jimduncanuk]

A bit disappointing that the Flea Market is unavailable.

I have some top items for sale, some of them are for charity.

I can provide a list and trade from my car boot if anyone has an interest. Masks would be worn.

[Leon]

I'm working on an order to collect at the show.
I don't anticipate staying for the whole show, but long enough to get about and collect purchases.

Excellent, we'll see you there!

[steve_holmes_11]

Excellent, we'll see you there!

Great: How many people are you bringing to the stand? I'll bring some local delicacies to help sustain you o the return journey. (All wrapped, and handled in sanitary conditions - Obvs)

[steve_holmes_11]

2 Days away. Who else is attending.

I wonder whether we can organise a suitably distanced "Pendraken fan get together".
Or at least say hello.

I'll be wearing a Holmes Tartan bandada over my mask.
Feel free to introduce yourselves.

[jimduncanuk]

2 Days away. Who else is attending.

I wonder whether we can organise a suitably distanced "Pendraken fan get together".
Or at least say hello.

I'll be wearing a Holmes Tartan bandada over my mask.
Feel free to introduce yourselves.

I plan to be there, probably just the morning and I'll be wearing a black mask (sort of half-vader).

I'll have a few WSS units and Nap units in the car boot if anyone is looking for some second hand retail.

[Leon]

Great: How many people are you bringing to the stand? I'll bring some local delicacies to help sustain you o the return journey. (All wrapped, and handled in sanitary conditions - Obvs)

Just the two of us, me and Adele this year.  We'll be on the road first thing tomorrow morning and we're going to visit Warbases before heading to the venue for setting up.

[steve_holmes_11]

I plan to be there, probably just the morning and I'll be wearing a black mask (sort of half-vader).

I'll have a few WSS units and Nap units in the car boot if anyone is looking for some second hand retail.

Hope to meet you there Jim. I'm also aiming for a morning start.

[Genom]

Just a quick reminder to check the Website info up top, the entrance is on the opposite side of the building to normal this year to keep that other area clear as it's always been a bit of a choke point.

[paulr]

Best of luck all, I hope the show goes really well

[steve_holmes_11]

Just a quick reminder to check the Website info up top, the entrance is on the opposite side of the building to normal this year to keep that other area clear as it's always been a bit of a choke point.

Yep - Three key points:
* Entrance through the East Gate (Not the usual West)
* 4 quid entrance fee (or a Fiver for families).
* Masks mandatory.

[Techno II]

Have a good one, Guys !

Cheers - Phil.

[steve_holmes_11]

It's 43 miles to Falkirk, I've got a full tank of gas, a backpack and four pre-orders.

Carronade took place on the fashionably late date of Sept 25th, rescheduled from early summer to avoid any potential lockdowns.

The Drive there (almost all motorway) was smooth and enjoyable, maybe weekend drivers were staying home to conserve fuel.
Parking, at the parklands complex was busier than usual (I think  the Council were working weekends).
A gentle stroll through Callendar Park (Running the gauntlet of Park runners), past the Antinine wall and I was at the show entrance some 15 minutes after opening.

Inside was less crowded than previous visits, but still well attended.

Removing games from the centre corridor was a distinct improvement - the place is usually a massive ruck as people attempt to play, shop and squeeze through a very limited space.
The very large Warlord Games display wasn't present this year, and this probably accounted for  the lack of crowding in hall 3.

I had 4 pre-orders, which I intended to pick up later, and didn't intend to stay from "gun to tape", so set off to look at the games.
There were fewer participation games than usual - understandable with the virus still present.
Several interesting looking games, and I stopped to speak with players who were willing to communicate.

Credit to the Wellington in India (Tyneside I think) and Lutzen (Glasgow Tradeston).
Both had games that progressed throughout the day, and spared club members to describe the battle and its context.
The Wellington guys also had a great display of books and reproduction weapons.

The painting contest was tucked away upstairs, very few entries, mostly fantasy pieces painted to  remarkable standard.

I bumped into old friend and opponent Hugh and his son.
We planned to meet up for a game (real soon now).
I failed to recognise Westmarcher of this parish, who had planned to attend.

Then a swift tour to pick up the orders.
Kallistra - Taerrain, Colonel Bill - Paint, Magnetic Displays - Guess, Pendraken - Flock and buildings. I also dropped off some Tunnocks Caramel Wafers for the return journey.

Avoided any expensive impulse buys.


Observations:
It was great to get back to a show after over 2 years.
Slightly emptier than usual is good for the customer, more civilised shopping and less mosh-pit.
(On departure the door guys reported 500 paying attendees, compared to a usual 700), I think people were also less inclined to hang about for the whole day.

Pendraken's stand appeared to be doing a good trade, twice a rolled up and the place was jammed to I retired to come back later.
Even after lunch there were queues, so no opportunity for lengthy chat about business, the hobby and he show in general.

I certainly felt it was a worthwhile visit.
I hope all the traders and clubs also found it worthwhile, as they make the show what it is.

Finally a word of thanks to the Falkirk club for all their behind the scenes work to make the show possible.

[Steve J]

Thanks for the feedback on the show Steve and it will be interesting to see how Partizan compares in a few weeks time.