Carronade 2021 Part 2
Wellington in India 1803
Having forgotten that there were two 7 o'clock times in the same day (it's good being retired!) I was rudely dragged outside for a walk to breakfast at the nearby Brewer's Fare at Beancross.
It's a marvelous feeling walking into a busy wargame venue with the buzz and excitement of anticipation for the first UK show since lockdown, if not, then one of the first!
Of course having already set out the table the previous evening we only had the display to arrange and a fantastic collection of weapons and books were there for anyone to peruse.
It was great to see all of the game and traders positions being filled and shelves packed with goodies to tempt all tastes and interests.
Out game was a fictitious encounter during the Second Maratha war between an East India Company army led by Major General Arthur Wellesley.
The EIC and Crown troops are seen leaving the dense undergrowth to find lines of Maratha troops blocking their path to the imposing fort (Chris brought this beautiful table piece to the game).
View from the fort and Maratha lines
The village was quickly cleared and the cavalry advanced to oppose the Maratha cavalry masses
Moving into contact range
We spend more time chatting and meeting up with friends met over many shows.
It was great being able to talk and we were as usual in awe at the
knowledge of enthusiastic gamers, both old and young.
The weapons were of particular interest including the 6lb and 3lb iron cannon balls
(Those of you with a delicate disposition should note that all persons attempting to lift the
heavy objects were professionally schooled in safe lifting techniques by qualified trainers) !
Note in the background a huge table featuring a Pacific WW2 landing on an atoll.
They were worthy winners of the show best game award.
The Maratha guns failed to stop the advance
Will the cavalry?
Nearly but alas, no.
Onto the final Maratha infantry lines
As ever the game is a secondary to having a great time talking to people and
hopefully showing our way of playing, a smile and some little knowledge.
A big congratulations to the young lads who kept returning to the table throughout the show to talk and look at the game. Their knowledge of the period was brilliant for ones so young and one of them won the painting competition too. The hobby is in safe hands indeed!!!
Finally a snap of the tired but happy team resplendent in our new and positively received colours.
Apologies to Chris and Dave as I must have accidently hit the "on handsome faces" focus feature on my camera which automatically blurs any others OOPS.
The evening was completed in the nearby pub with a great meal and company as we were joined by the two gents from Foundry who were attending the show also as well as a married couple who by change were staying in the hotel. They were WW2 reenactors and the company was marvelous.
