26th September Games

Greetings

Still a bit thin on the ground this week; Steve ran his planned Mars Attacks! game, while Mike C ran a Lion Rampant game using his Dark Age figures. Both appeared to run OK, also Andy H made a rare but nonetheless welcome appearance.

I spent the evening talking to various people about the new exhibition at Southend Central Museum. Most of you will be aware I am a volunteer at the museum, and the London Shipwreck (which features artefacts recovered from the wreck of a Restoration warship which blew up not far from where the seaward end of Southend Pier is now situated) has just opened. Given it's nature and that it is a very well organised exhibition, I felt it was worth bringing it to the attention of a wider audience. More information at http://www.southendmuseums.co.uk/whats_on/event/The-London-Exhibition

Next week, another Terminator Genesys game is planned. I hope to run The Men Who Would Be Kings in a Sudan setting in the near future, but a little further work is required.

See yer soon

Neil

19th September Games

Greetings

We were a bit spread out last night. Andy P ran the promised Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles board game for most of those present; I'm told this went OK. Rob and Alan played Infinity again. Rob says although he lost, it was an enjoyable game. Good to note that . . .

Steve H and I ran the Napoleonic naval scenario from last week again, using slightly different force compositions. This has been a chance to fine tune the Hotham's First Action scenario to ensure the game at SELWG runs well and offers both sides a reasonable chance to complete their missions. The French (me) were able to recover the damaged ship but again at a high cost in the force deployed. Using the poor quality crews at the time of the action really made a difference to manoeuvre and firing.

Next week, Steve S wants to run Mars Attacks! and I'll bring Ludis Gladiatorus, which we haven't played for some time.

See yer soon

Neil

12th September Games

Greetings

A bit thin on the ground again this week but enough attending to run the requested Napoleonic naval game. Having updated the fleet rosters and sent out a quick reference sheet ahead of the game, I decided to use the ships from the scenario I intend to run at SELWG in October. Enough ships were used to provide the centre piece of the game which is the recovery of a damaged French ship of the line. The French achieved their goal, albeit with losses but also inflicting harm on 'les rosbifs'. A number of the Wayland denizens stopped to look and said nice things about the ships.

Alan and Rob L played an introductory Infinity Scenario.

Next week, Andy P has offered to run a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game (cowabunga!), while Alan and Rob want to try another Infinity game. I haven't decided what to run myself, but will bring something along.

See yer soon

Neil

5th September Games

Greetings

Thanks to Dave K for running a Bolt Action games last night - the Normandy scenario used some different troop types (French Resistance and Commandos among others) with artillery support for the British. The latter suffered from a short sighted FOO (Steve S' bad dice rolls) and the eventual bloodbath left the Germans on top for the first game in quite a while.

Next week Mark will run his Barbarianfantasy game. I've been asked to run a Napoleonic naval games to allow everyone to practice before the SELWG shows, when I propose to run the Hotham's Action 1794 scenario. I have it in mind to try and produce a QRS for the rules in question, which I'll look to distribute before next week.

See yer soon

Neil

29th August Games

Greetings

I managed to lug the Wings of War/Glory collection of WW1 aircraft over to Hockley this week (if you have ever tried to lift this box, you'd know what I mean). I ran a late war scenario with three DH 4 bombers, escorted by 3 Sopworth Snipes to bomb a German held town covered by 4 Fokker D7's. Kudos to Mark for managing to hit three out of four designated targets albeit with heavy losses to the bombers and escorted commanded by Andy P. Nice to see all the toys in action again, I might run an earlier war scenario again sometime soon.
 

Dave K has offered to run Bolt Action WW2 game next week; I'll look out some scenery and bring along a backup game - not sure what yet. Colonial action with The Men Who Would Be Kings in the near future and given I've booked a Naopleonic naval game for SELWG in October, I'll run a game as a refresher as well soon.

See yer soon

Neil

22rnd August Games

Greetings

Still quiet but sufficient for the proposed ACW naval game. It's been a while since I last ran this on a club night so we were all a bit rusty, but eventually we played a version of the Battle of Memphis (Tennessee) with nothing heavier than a lightly armoured vessel on both sides; probably more representative of the river war than the armoured vessels. The Union ran out winners on both of the two refights I ran, but this was in keeping with the historical outcome.

Nothing firm was decided for next week, so I'll bring the WW1 Wings of Glory collection along for an outing. I've an idea for an escorted bombing mission which might prove interesting.

See yer soon

Neil

15th August Games

Greetings

Still low on attendance, but enough to play The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey. I'd brought this in case there were too many present for the planned Necromunda game. Rob L ran out winner with the Bilbo Baggins character having gained the strength of Conan the Barbarian and a run of good luck on movement and combat.

Necromunda has been planned again for next week; Mike has asked if I could run an ACW naval game. This hasn't been out in a long while, so I'll bring that along. I'm still working on Sudan colonials for The Men Who Would Be Kings, but this will be a couple more weeks I think.

See yer soon

Neil