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Partizan Show Report
By Steve Crofts
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It Was a late Saturday night Early Sunday morning job, up at ten to six to get ready, make my dinner and pack my figures into the car.
7.20am I was outside the club house, with the lads and ready to pack the terrain into the van, a long day ahead, and with just a few hours sleep, Glad I’d had my caffeine fix!
We were off, to one of my favourite shows on our demo calendar, Partizan.
The journey was about fifty minutes but that soon passed chatting and joking with Andy one of our club members, as I say the journey soon passed and seeming like we’d just left we’d arrived at Kelham
Hall.
For those of you who have never been to this location, it is a lovely building, set in a lovely location just outside Newark.
After collecting the much appreciated coffee vouchers we parked up and unloaded.
Setting up the game took a while, but we were soon finished and drinking the coffee we’d been donated! Cheers the guys at the Irregulars!
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So after briefing my stand in, (Thanks Shep!), and seeing that most of the traders and demoers were set up, I thought I’d make a start and say Hi to a couple of people John Ed had told me wanted to have a
natter with me.
So began my day!
It’s nice to talk to traders, (when they get the time, I try to do it when they aren’t too busy, and usually make an exit when the crowds start appearing around a stall), hearing all there comments and getting to hear what’s coming out
etc as well as banter, I enjoy it!
Time was getting on and my belly was calling for a late breakfast, it had to be about 12.30! so I headed back to our clubs demo, and started to eat, finding out a few people I talk to had been over in my absence to say hi, and , finding I wasn’t there came back, had a good chat and a bit of a giggle, then I met another person whom John had asked me to meet, again we had a good chat, and then it was time to fly around the show take in the games , ask a few questions and take a few pictures of the games for those of you who couldn’t make it.
The Show
The show itself seemed more crowded than ever, and at times was very warm and sticky, I’ve a feeling the number through the doors was larger than last year, but the guys at Newark would have to clarify that.
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First of all the Bring and Buy, this was crammed with goodies, not sure on the prices of most of the items as it was a quick look see, as to how the crowds were buying
etc… and the overall fullness of the goods on sale for the report, it was chocker block with bodies and goods.
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Now for the demo games, Before I start let me first apologise to all the guys I didn’t get to talk to regarding there games and that I only had enough time to get around most of the main hall for taking pictures and information about the games, ( John buddy I take my hat of to you! I just don’t know how you do it!).
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So before I start a rundown on the games May I first say that the ones that I didn’t get chance to photograph or collect information ect… very sorry but on going about other business at the show I did see most of them and They were all good quality games.
The first game that I looked at was from the Skirmish Wargames group, an English Civil War scenario, which was gamed at 54mm scale, the buildings were totally scratch built and the figures were all converted from original kits and minis. I would like to have spent more time chatting to the guys, as the miniatures were well painted
and the table looked stunning. You can see more of their work at the following link
www.skirmishwargames.co.uk . All their games are at 54mm scale.
Next up was a game from I think, the Perry twins El Cid? Unfortunately they were not around when I was at there table, and would have like to have found out more about there game, but ce la vie. Must have been having a dinner or a beer break! (wish I was!).
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On to the next, here I spoke to Dave Andrews about his groups Burgundy wars game, Dave, Dave Imrie and Brian Phillips, were playing to a set of rules written by Dave Andrews, the figures were from
their collections and were beautifully painted.
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On again to the next table this time presented by the Sherwood Wargames group, Hougomont, which incidentally featured at Triples earlier this year and if I remember correctly won first in show.
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On then to a game that had really caught my eye earlier, a 28mm WWII game from the league of Augsburg, the game was set in 1944, 7th of August to be exact at Magnuzew, Eastern Poland, it was set on the banks of the Vistula with the Germans trying to stop a growing Russian Bridgehead, by throwing in uncoordinated attacks against the town of Magnuzew.
WWII at this scale is one of my favourite periods, but although I could be accused of being a little bias towards this game, to counter it I took a few pictures so you can judge yourself, the terrain the figures
etc looked great, and I wouldn’t have minded chucking a few dice and shuffling a few figures about myself.
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My Club, Mosborough and District, were putting on the Battle of Harlem Heights American War of Independence, as I wasn’t around most of the day I had to go on feed back at the end but apparently we did get quite a good reception and people visiting the game did pass comments about how good the game
looked. I’m hoping that one of the lads is going to do the write up as a follow up to the scenario that Phil designed and wrote, so hopefully one of the lads will send that in for you to read. The rules we use are based on Fire and Fury and have been changed in such a way as to give a really good feel to the period.
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Another AWI was put on by the Newark irregulars, (Hosts of the Show), The game was a fantasy engagement, well more of a pitched battle, but it looked excellent and as a further comment, all the figures on the table were from Steve Jones’s collection, (no it’s not the Steve Jones who played with the Sex Pistols, and yes I did ask!), they were also using Steve’s own rules and I was told by the players that they found them very good and very reflective of the period.
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Moving on again I happened upon a few happy Mongrels playing a Finnish winter war game set in February 1940, the guys were really friendly and giving me so much information I couldn’t write it down fast enough!
The game was featuring prototype Russian tanks being used at the Battle of Suamna, (did I spell it right?), this again was at 28mm scale and the tanks were from NZWM, and other manufacturers the figures were from Battle honours.
The buildings were scratch built by Peter Wilks from Maltby and District, interestingly he used the plans from www.mannerhiem.com to make them, an excellent job, and look great. Incidentally all the information needed to build the bunkers is on the website.
Where are the Mongrels appearing next and what with? Well I was told there next appearance would be at Fiasco and that the game would be set in 1941, look forward to seeing it guys.
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The guys from Like a Stone Wall were presenting the battle of Lansdown Hill 5th July 1643. All the figures were from club members collections, again it was a really nice presentation and very nice to view the group will be appearing at both the Newcastle show where they will be putting on the battle of Cheriton, (ECW), and Derby where they will be putting on Schollenburg a Marlburian game. Look out for them if your attending either of the shows.
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The next game I came across was a participation game from Paul Darnell, (Touching History), called “He ain’t heavy he’s a hoplite!”, the kids were having fun and was an excellent introduction to Wargaming for them as the layout
looked marvellous.
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Back of Beyond was being played by the South East Scotland Wargames Club, this game to me was a gem, not only were there figures running around shooting ect… but all over the board were loads and I mean loads of vignettes, these ranged from a guy getting out of a little boat, to a pair of peasants working in a paddy field with a water buffalo! This really, to me added character to the game and it was not only good to look at but interesting to see if you could find a vignette that you’d not noticed.
Intermingled buildings were either scratch built by members of the club or bought from manufacturers, the terrain was also made by the club. A splendid game lads, I could have taken a load more pictures if I’d got the time, and it was nice chatting to you.
Now comes the last game I had time to visit, this time from Derby Wargames Club, which was there recreation of the 2nd Battle of Lanarta, (hope I got the name right!), During the French Revolution, it was based on a scenario within the pages of a Wargames Illustrated Magazine, Figures were provided by various members of the club, buildings were a mixture of Hovels and the Drum. It looked a good game and the guys were very friendly and willing to talk about it.
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It was now packing up time, which I didn’t realise and it took one of our club members to tap me on the shoulder and tell me that I had to put stuff away in boxes, so with heavy heart and a mission failed, (Sorry John I tried!), I went back to our demo and packed away.
The journey back was good Talking again with Andy about different things finding out about what had happened in our battle
… and feeling very tired! It was only when we reached the clubhouse I realised I’d been so busy packing and putting stuff away I’d left my Jacket back at Newark under the table!!!
Ah well too late now!
Partizan has been a show on our club calendar since it first started, so I have seen the show go from strength to strength, I do have the feeling though that the show is going to grow so much that unless new rooms are added then a change of location may be on the cards, It is that popular! The guys who run the show, to me, have got the balance just right regarding trade and games, and the B&B is well run all together a potent mix for a popular show.
Lighting in some areas is a problem though as some areas were a little dark, making it a little difficult to see the wares some traders were selling. But apart from that the show is excellent.
It has to be a must for anyone who hasn’t visited the show before, there is so much to see and do it really is worth the trip.
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Partizan II, yep me and the lads will be there, and like I said if you’ve never been come on through, you don’t know what your missing!
Please remember to mention Wargames Forum when contacting traders!
