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Newark Irregulars present El Cid |
Saturday 26th April, 2003
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Newark Irregulars present El Cid |
I
arrived hot and panting after a difficult journey for my annual Salute
pilgrimage at 11.00 am. The place was already buzzing with keen crowds of
enthusiasts waiting to enter and spend their hard earned moneys on their
latest passion, be it fantasy, science fiction, military history, figure, board
or role play!
The usual goody bag was duly appreciated with South London Warlord’s very informative glossy magazine, dice and other sundry items. I was impressed with the buzz and organisational layout of the ground floor; space to move around and access whatever takes one’s fancy (ooh err missus!)
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Azantihighlightning Megagames -Arhem |
On
the Ground floor there were a fair cross section of demonstration (D) and
participation (P) games, covering from El Cid (without Charlton Heston ) to a
very impressive (and long) Azantihighlightning Megagames 10mm WWII Arnhem game
(D), with a colourful Braintree
Wargames War of the Worlds and dinky steam tanks taking on the fighting
machines. There was very impressive scratch built diorama scenery such as 25mm
WWII Winter Skirmish game Enemy at
the Gates (D); WWII small attack craft MTB actions Attack with Torpedoes (P).
The Second World War was very well
represented on the ground floor to
this reviewers personal pleasure.
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Braintree War of the Worlds, thanks to Germs World |
The first floor was very accessible with a wide variety of demonstration and participation games. What was really impressive was the number of children/young adults enjoying themselves hopefully (pardon the Trekkie reference) the next generation.
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Herne Bay and Whitstable Wargames Club |
There
was a brilliant 25mm Napoleonic Big
Battalions game in the Grand Manner; an excellent 15mm Battle of Austerlitz.
I admit a personal biaise to all things Napoleonic! “Vive L’Empreur!,
even “Slaughterloo” was amusing, fantasy Napoleonic with Elven hussars and
dwarfish guard infantry.
There was a very impressive Victorian Military Society representation, the old red coated Victorian Soldier displaying his drill with a rifle and bayonet, a small taste of those bygone and un-politically correct colonial wars. The sound of fife and drum together with authentic uniform stands brought the past glory of the British Empire to Salute. There was also displays featuring the Crimean War Research Society, the Gurkha Museum, The Royal Artillery Museum, the Army Medical Services Museum and Anglo-Boer Militaria.
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V.M.S. Reenactors |
My
personal favourite participation
game was the Staines Wargamers, 15mm “Charge of the Light Brigade”, a very
playable and quick game involving loads of action packed, card playing, dice
throwing and mini strategies. The
incentive, is one of five players, one player per regt. Of the light brigade,
to get to the end of the valley, and those pesky guns,
travelling half a league half a league onwards! Or backwards depending on
the cards and your fellow players. Cannon firing from the front and sides, dice
throws getting harder to ensure survival, together with
Cossacks popping in to say “Niet” and general mayhem. I unfortunately
did not make it, so no gongs for yours
truly only the satisfaction of a well played charge into “The Valley of
Death”.
The fantasy end of the convention was covered with the first floor with a whole corner full of role playing young persons with participating dungeons, chariot racing with South London Warlords; Circus Orkimus-Orkimus Maximus; Paleothic log combat from Kingston Games Group, Log II, Improved Log and various Warhammer games; an efficient method of publicising their product range, get them interested while they are young and enthusiastic, the parents are picking up the tab. What can I say about the South London Warlords Vengeance of the Daleks – War of the Daleks II, with every type of Dalek ever seen in both film and TV series, colour style and presentation was impressive and very reassuring for this old Dr Who fan.
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South London Warlords Vengeance of the Daleks |
Just
around the corner was the Honington Wargame Group, “H-Hour Sword Beach”,
An
exceptionally well detailed 20mm WWII Normandy landing demonstration game, a pleasure to the eye in
every regard. I could have spent all day alone examining the models. A rattling
good game, I was held, Monty would be proud!
Other
periods or wargaming interest was covered such as ancients with the Society of
Ancients, Strategos:CANNAE, 216 BC; together with the Lance & Longbow
Society “Battle of Shrewsbury” and the Pike and Shot Society stand.
The restaurant did a roaring trade I believe with pasties, chilli and curry, served with Olympian efficiency and prices.
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Watford Wargames Federation-“Star Fleet Battles” |
The
biggest participation game I can honestly say was the Watford Wargames
Federation, “Star Fleet Battles”, a massive game with a Borg cube being the
apparent centre of attention, with a variety of
Klingons, Federation, Kazon et al, I visited it on a number of occasions
with no apparent activity, perhaps I will not live long and prosper with this
opinion but beam me up Scotty!
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Star Trek from The Germ |
The
lower ground floor had some fun and surprises. The usual gladiatorial “bring
and buy”, bargains to be had if you had the stamina to match. With an unusual
Korean War demonstration game, early Centurion tank’s versus T34/85’s a
refreshing subject for wargaming. A very amusing and clever demonstration game
from the Deal Wargames Society, “Siege of
Habbaniya”, or a very early WWII Gulf
War/Iraqi game. The British army and colonial air force taking on a British
trained Iraqi army units, both using similar tactics with a very interesting and
typical outcome! (Pimms’ anyone!) The
25mm tribute to Gladiator was also impressive, Wargames Journal “Unleash
Hell”, portraying the film’s opening battle scene with brilliant detail, I
still feel sorry for the Germanic hordes taken in the rear (oooh Matron!)
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Tanelon Wargames Club, from The Germ |
The trade stands were very well represented on all floors, with the incentive to getting a bargain, I usually save so much money I haven’t got any left! There were many youngster in attendance, spending various amounts of pocket money, the future shows are assured with their custom. I must give a mention to one of my old favourites, Lancashire Games, revamped their stall look, very user friendly, brilliant 15mm Napoleonic battle packs and their 25mm Naps. are even better, how do they do it?. Their range is extensive book early to avoid disappointment.
In conclusion I really enjoyed my day at Salute 03, an excellent cross-section of demonstration and participation games, the Charge of the Light Brigade was my favorite participation and the demonstration was a tie between the 10mm Arnhem game for size and the D-Day Sword Beach for detail. Well done South London Warlords I salute you!
Machine
Gun Spours
Historical
Milton Keynes
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