2nd April Games

Pretty good turnout last night. Chris ran a Bolt Action game for those seeking an introduction to the rules; thanks to him for this. Andy and Rob settled down to some Malifaux mayhem, while Steve Harbron took to the skies over Malta with an RAF vs. Regia Aeronautica Angels 20 game. Suffice to say the RAF came off second best - I blame the dice....

Next week, I am running a Ludis Gladiatorius games to start the process of scaling up the game to 54 mm as a show game. We also have a Lord of the Rings game scheduled.

See yer soon,
Neil.

30th October Games

Fairly busy last night; we were able to try out Star Trek Attack Wing for the first time, which resulted in the Federation forces coming off second best against the Klingons. Laurie tried out the Dead Man's Hand Western Gunfight rules, while Bob and Andy ran a Malifaux game. Pictures of Star Trek and Malifaux attached as the Dead Man's Hand game ended before I could take a shot!

Next week, I have been asked to run an Angels 20 game set during the Winter War 1940 in Finland, and Mark will run his Victorian Gothic horror game.

See yer soon,
Neil

2nd October Games

The evening had a heavy air combat theme, with Steve Slater running a WW1 Wings of War game. I undertook a training game of Angels 20 for a newest members Mick, Ed and James (with welcome assistance from Rob) which everybody appeared to enjoy. Pictures of both games are attached; apologies to Bob and Andy for not including their Malifaux game.

Current offers for next week are a Lord of the Rings game from Bob and Andy; I hope to run an American Civil War naval game using an updated version of the rules tested recently.
See yer soon,
Neil.

14th August Games

A reasonable turnout this week; Chris was kind enough to run a Hordes of the Things game to allow Alan the chance to use his Romano-British army against Chris' Dark Ages Irish. This game went to the wire and was the cause of some spirited discussion concerning rules interpretation along the way. Steve Slater ran a Fury of Dracula game, while Bob and Andy played a Malifaux scenario. Pictures of the general mayhem and the climax of the Hotts game are attached. Apologies to Chris for the inadvertent lemonade flood; I think I managed to sponge it all out....

I am currently unaware of any arrangements for next week's games other than to suggest that I shall bring Ludis Gladiatorus along as there were no spare bodies to play this week. Could those organising additional games please notify their nature via this email please?

See yer soon,
Neil.

17th July Games

A reasonable turnout last night, in spite of the current hot weather. I didn't get much of a look at the impressive French and Indian Wars game that Steve and Laurie were running, but given the number of comments about whinging French colonial troops, I gather that the British had the upper hand by game's end. Similarly, Bob and Andy's Malifaux game appeared to proceed to their satisfaction. I ran a second playtest of the naval rules originally written by Bob Cordery with a couple of tweaks. These played out OK, but the rules are not best suited to the level of fleet action we favour; I intend to use these in a modified form for the smaller fleet actions of the earlier Ironclad era in due course, but the rules are going to need some work for this to be achieved. 

Next week I understand that a Warhammer 40K game is scheduled, and Steve has agreed to bring some board games as well. I hope to return to Angels 20, having taken delivery of the last of my current batch of Eastern European Axis aircraft last night. No prizes for which theatre of operations is likely to be featured in the game....

See yer soon,
Neil.

10th July Games

Firstly, congratulations to Chris, Graham, Dave Weedon, John Francis and Andy for their success in retaining the Best of Show trophy at the Battlegroup South show last weekend. To win any award in successive years is no mean achievement, but with the quality of games at this show the bar is set even higher. I understand that the War of Spanish Succession game will be offered for the SELWG show in October this year.

Last night's games are included as photographs herewith;

My predreadnought rules test required ' shell splashes' to record fall of shot. I actually found that I was running out of markers, as the attached photo shows!

Thanks to John for the WW2 game, and to Andy and Bob for their Malifaux game.

Currently we have an offer of a French and Indian Wars game from Steve and Laurie, while I intend to run the predreadnought test again, with a few tweaks to be made to the rules, which I think will help with the larger actions we tend to play.

See yer soon,
Neil

8th May Games

A fair turnout last night - Ernie arrival in Santa Claus mode, distributing largesse far and wide, certainly enhanced proceedings. Thanks to mark for his Victorian Gothic Horror game and also to Bob & co. for the Malifaux game, pictures attached. My Space Hulk game went ok (if not for the Deathwing) but sadly the pictures were a bit of a failure.

Next week, I propose to run an Angels 20 game for some of the members who haven't played the game yet. A Lord of the Rings game is also planned.

Quick reminder about the Fly In at Stow Maries Airfield this weekend. Steve Harbron and I will be in attendance with a Wings of War display, and we would welcome anybody who wants to turn up. There should also be some replica WW1 aircraft in attendance of the weather permits, so there is potential for a good day out. Better find my digital SLR camera.....

See yer soon,
Neil

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1st May Games

A fair turnout this week - though still missing a few faces. Nice to see Laurie out and about again. Not much on the gaming front for me but a lot of chat, but my thanks go to Steve for the Valley of the Dinosaurs game which was generating a level of back-stabbing which even Kingmaker would have difficulty matching, and also those playing the Malifaux game. I am accused on occasion of only providing pictures of my own games with my missives, and by way of redressing this I attach a picture of the session in full swing.

Next week, I gather a further Malifaux game is planned. Mark has also agreed to run his Victorian Gothic Horror game, and I will bring Space Hulk - Nathan, who visited us recently, expressed an interest in trying the new version, so I shall choose a scenario with him in mind.

A reminder that Steve H. and I are scheduled to attend the Fly In over at Stow Maries on the 12th May; I will take the Wings of War setup and put the Gotha's on the table for the first time; should be interesting.

See yer soon,
Neil.

5th December Games

I don't blame those who decided not to attend last night's club meeting - to say it was bitterly cold doesn't even come close! Nice of Andy to bring along some seasonal shortbread, even if I did not partake.

A small Malifaux game took place while I ran a trial X-wing scenario with an attack on a Star Destroyer, primarily to try the expanded weapon and equipment fits for the ships available, and to see if an idea I had for representing the close in weapon systems represented in film and fiction could be replicated. The Rebel attackers achieved their objective of destroying a shield generator but at the cost of their entire force. Whether the 'flak' was too heavy I am not yet sure, and would welcome your thoughts on this matter, since the scenario itself played out OK.

I propose a return to terrestrial air combat next week; Mr. Crook has an idea to pit Zeroes against Hurricanes over the jungle, while I have an urge to run the mammoth Eastern Front scenario again, particularly as the Soviets have had some reinforcements and a bit of a tidy up, which is as good a reason to give them an outing. Any other game offers are, as ever, more than welcome.

See yer soon,
Neil

28th November Games

Another quiet week, but nice to see Dave Weedon and Ernie Fosker after lengthy absences for both members. Don't leave it so long next time, guys.

Decent amount of games going on again. Steve Slater ran the 'Phoenicia' board game again, Bob, Andy and Andy H. were playing Malifaux, and I was able to run an Angels 20 Western Desert scenario which again proved that the Curtiss P-40 is not an aircraft to despise. The Bf 109 F schwarm came off distinctly second best again. Next time, I think the Italians might have a go..... Picture of the action attached.

Not much arranged as yet for next week; I am planning a larger X-wing game, and want to try out an attack on an Imperial Star Destroyer. More anon as this is still in the planning stage. Any other offers?

See yer soon,
Neil

3rd October Games

Pretty good turnout last night; thanks to Chris for running a trial game of the new Bolt Action WW2 rules for various members. I hadn't seen a full game before this session, and it was interesting to see how well the rules worked. This may well enable us to run larger games at the show in the coming year, given a rework of some of the scenarios. Bob and Andrew were also playing Malifaux, and Steve ran a Pirates of the Caribbean game to fill a gap. I am afraid I didn't get much chance to see how those games went. Hope you all enjoyed yourselves.

 

Next week's offering include a further Bolt Action game hosted by Chris, together with a Lord of the Rings game from Mark and co. Having had a short break from Angels 20 (Writtle notwithstanding- thanks to those who attended and helped to run the two games for the visiting public) I propose to blood my recently repainted P-40's against Bf109's over the Western Desert; Mr. Crook is seeking revenge for the last outing, which did not go well for the Luftwaffe!

I have just received final details from SELWG concerning our table. We have been allocated table H in the main hall, which is in the middle row of tables opposite the Caliver Books stand. Other details remain as in previous years - the hall will open at about 8 am, with the show starting at 10 am and finishing at 4 pm. I am impressed with the manner in which the zombie game is coming together, and think we can really make something of a splash with this one.

See yer soon,
Neil

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27th June Games

Those attending this week will have noticed the extra table made available by the Centre. Having requested this myself, hopefully we can make use of the space on a regular basis. I was able to run an Angels 20 game set on the Eastern Front early in Operation Barbarossa, and actually managed to shoot something down for a change! Thanks also to Steve for running a Dracula related game, and also to Andy, Bob and co. for the Malifaux game.

A previous Malifaux game.

The holiday season is upon us, and I understand we may be short a few people in the coming weeks. This coming week, Steve S. has offered to bring a selection of boardgames for our entertainment, and I will provide the by now inevitable Angels 20 game. Any other offers are welcome.

See yer soon,
Neil