Monday 15 May 2017

Carronade show report 2017.

Friday morning saw the "fab four" of Dave,Brian,Paul and I setting off on our annual "pilgrimage" to Falkirk for the Carronade show,this year we met Mike and Chris at the hotel,booked in, and then proceeded to the venue to set up our 40mm Seven Years War game.
On saturday we again made our way to the venue,and arrived refreshed and ready for a great day.
The show seemed bigger and better this year,with more traders,catering for every aspect of wargaming you can imagine,and a myriad of games representing the diverse nature of our great hobby(way of life?).
The organisation was,as usual, spot on! every one knew where they had to be(traders and gamers) the bring and buy was "bustling" from the word "GO!",as was the catering side!
a huge thanks must go out to the Falkirk District Wargames Club for such a wonderful effort.
The general public was queuing long before the opening time of 10.00am,but because it started to rain,the doors opened early,and the "eager throng" piled in!-the "foot-fall" this year was the highest it had ever been,around the 800 mark-well done.

Early Saturday morning and we are all ready to go-which was more than can be said for some games,and indeed traders-poor show from those!!

Just before the "public" was allowed in,the gamers and traders are bracing themselves,and doing last minute  adjustments to stalls and tables.

It was the same in the other hall,as well as the corridor between the two,then......
WHoosh!! the spending frenzy begins!!!

The cry was heard,"buy,buy,buy" and so they did!!!

This is the "bring and buy" hall,which was busy all day(one hour slots allocated)

Because of the nature of our game and the size of the figures,our table was like a magnet,attracting old and young like-minded gamers.We pride ourselves on talking to everyone who ventures beside our games,telling them about the figures,rules and club-in fact promoting the hobby as much as possible!-we talked all day,and we all had sore throats at the end!

This is the first year that Chris has joined us for Carronade(he lives in Yorkshire now) and he had this Tee-shirt specially made!!-he's as mad as us!!!!-however,his trip with us was worthwhile,because he won the "single figure" painting competition-good on you Chris!!

Chris and trophy!!-the guy behind Chris(on 'phone) actually fell asleep during the afternoon,and slumped onto the table he was playing at!!!!

This shows our game in full swing-we had countless comments about the figures,which was nice,we also had some negative comments,such as "well,it's ok but it's not proper wargaming" and one person criticised the flags as not being correct"-we can also take criticism,so it wasn't a problem!

"Colonel Bill" thought our game had "charm" and "nostalgia" in equal measure!-Paul,you really ought to get out of the habit of standing like that!!!!

The climax of our game was this massive cavalry battle-spectacular or what????
We were asked at the end of the day if we would be attending next year-our reply was "try and stop us!!"
This was a great week-end,full of wargaming,good banter and loads of laughs-what more could you ask for?

















































26 comments:

  1. It looked a lovely game John, your lads should be very proud.I see you have finally conceded that your corporate shirts are actually pink. Well done.

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    1. Robbie-they are geranium red!!-we had a great time,it would be good to see you up there one year!
      johnc.

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  2. Great looking game...well done. I've seen favourable comments about your display on other blogs. As for not proper wargame? What planet was that guy from...this is wargaming in the truest sense. As for the flag botherer...well there's always some button counter that you can all laugh about when he leaves the table to go and nitpick somewhere else.
    cheers
    Mike

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    1. Thanks Mike,Brian has seen a blog called "up the dales" or something like that,and the chap stood and talked to us for a long while,took photo's etc. and has posted some good comments.
      johnc

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  3. I was one of those enthusiastic passes by. Loved the look of your game and when I got home I ordered a Prince August starter kit. Well done - truly inspiring.

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    1. Hi StuD,that's probably the best compliment we could have-inspiration!I have been casting for more years than I care to count,and still get a "buzz" seeing a newly cast figure,cleaning it up,and painting it,knowing that I have created it-wonderful!!
      johnc(william)

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    2. Do you have any hints and tips on casting - materials etc that you'd be willing to share via a blog post (perhaps already posted)?

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    3. Hi StuD,it really is a case of trial and error,at first,until you get used to your moulds-try different pressures on the moulds,using either clamps or elastic bands(they do tend to snap when molten metal hits them!!)-you can download the PA catalogue which gives a few helpful hints too-keep in touch though,and if I can help,I will.
      johnc(william)

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    4. Cheers. Starter kit has arrived so I'll be casting soon. Fingers crossed!

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    5. Stu D,keep in touch-very interested to know how you get on-just take it slowly until you're "comfortable with the moulds.
      johnc(william)

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  4. Ignore the rivet counters, I think you ought to have got best in show!
    Alan
    p.s btw can you tell us more about the rules you used?

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    1. Hi Tradgardmastare,it was good to see you both again,and glad you liked the game.I have promised in the past to write out our "rules",and will make a real effort to do so asap-very simple really.
      thanks for comment.
      johnc.

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  5. Excellent - shame I couldn't be there!

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    1. Caliban,good to hear from you,your lads did the hobby proud,so friendly and accomodating(typical Scots!)-will you make it next year?-hope so.
      johnc

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    2. No idea! Work is very heavy at this time of the year. Maybe when I'm retired, like that's going to happen soon. I am jealous...

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    3. Caliban,my advice to anyone,is retire at 55,draw down your private pension,cut your cloth to suit,and enjoy the freedom!!
      johnc

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  6. Well done! I always admire the way you work at shows, you seem to have fun and have time for the public!

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    1. Hi Herky,thanks for your comment-the whole week-end is just one big laugh,eating and drinking-and of course wargaming!!-what more could any man want???(answers on a post-card!!)
      johnc

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    1. Hi Glasgow warhog-good to see you,I think I talked to you for a while-thanks for comment,hope to see you next year,introduce yourself,and we'll have a good natter!
      johnc

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    2. Absolutely. ..always have time to chat tactics with fellow gamers.

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    3. Warhog,look forward to it-cheers,
      johnc

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  8. Enjoyed your game and display very much on Saturday - I put a small mention on my own blog. I am perplexed by the "not proper wargaming" guy - I get a lot of that, and I can't see why anyone would wish to contribute a put-down to an otherwise enjoyable day. Oh well. He didn't, perchance, offer a clue as to what proper wargaming might be? Never mind, as long as his medication is OK.

    Excellent - hope to see you again sometime.

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    1. MSFoy(me boy!!) it was good to see everyone,and talk all things wargaming-glad you enjoyed the game-it certainly was colourful!-the guy in question considered that only 28mm figures,designed by himself(?) were worth playing with!!-pratt!!!!
      johnc

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  9. It seems that you feature in our local rag - the Falkirk Herald - Kenny will give you a copy next time your paths cross

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    1. Hi David,thanks for the info.I'll try and get a photo via their web site.
      johc(william)

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