Folks, I have just come back from a weekend at Cranfield at the same place where we are holding the Convention this year. It is a super venue. Good accommodation, great food, masses of room for battles and lectures (good IT!!!). Bar seems more organised that either of last two venues. And for me a half hour driving closer (well it matters to me!) Seriously folks this year looks like being the best SoA convention ever. Make sure you sign up soon and bring out your battles!
Indeed Ian, seeing the venue this weekend in action has shown what a fantastic opportunity and location it is. Everything is light, bright and airy, compact and easily navigable.
I appreciate I have only last year at Missenden to compare to which in itself was a nice venue, but Cranfield I believe represents a good step up.
where exactly is Cranfield?
Quote from: Jim Webster on Jul 12, 2026, 07:59 PMwhere exactly is Cranfield?
Just to the east of the M1 motorway at Milton Keynes.
Thanks Adrian
Quote from: Ian61 on Jul 12, 2026, 05:50 PMFolks, I have just come back from a weekend at Cranfield at the same place where we are holding the Convention this year. It is a super venue.
>
CoW / WD event? How was it?
Certainly a different type of experience to SoA but is scratching an itch in looking at things differently. I enjoyed the weekend. Not being to any previous COWs can't compare but folks were friendly and talkative. A vast range of games although more of the arguing your case type (Matrix /mugger games??) A few good talks but they were in the programme rather than plenary sessions which was a pity. I like the way the SoA convention does that, it gives more of a collective focus. (I am kicking myself for missing the talk on the Falklands war.)
This was a better setting for exploring rules. Given how I usually like to dot all the i's and cross all the t's definitely not my comfort zone but enjoyable and I will be going next year with a rule set that will need some play testing.
Sounds interesting and somewhat different so worth a punt
Quote from: Ian61 on Jul 12, 2026, 10:03 PMCertainly a different type of experience to SoA but is scratching an itch in looking at things differently. I enjoyed the weekend. Not being to any previous COWs can't compare but folks were friendly and talkative. A vast range of games although more of the arguing your case type (Matrix /mugger games??) A few good talks but they were in the programme rather than plenary sessions which was a pity. I like the way the SoA convention does that, it gives more of a collective focus. (I am kicking myself for missing the talk on the Falklands war.)
This was a better setting for exploring rules. Given how I usually like to dot all the i's and cross all the t's definitely not my comfort zone but enjoyable and I will be going next year with a rule set that will need some play testing.
Thanks for that....sounds like an interesting and thought provoking weekend.
Were you a WD member long before, or did you join up mainly to try CoW?
[I joined WD waay baccckkk, soon after it started (?80's), but life, the universe n everything intervened and the sub was dropped].
Always felt very niche/cutting edge, and a potential source for 'that' idea which would change our approach to playing with toy soldiers.
Just to agree with Martin, I too joined WD way back but life intervened. Embarrassingly I wasn't even aware it was still going. :-[
In answer to both the above I joined about a year ago so did the virtual conference a few months ago. I enjoyed that. You put your bids in for any 'numbers limited' sessions you want to join and I got most of my first choicesand there were more plenary sessions than in the physical version. The vitual conference was much less stressful in some respects as no travel and when sessions aren't running you're just at home. But not anywhere near as good for the social aspect.
Quote from: Jim Webster on Jul 13, 2026, 08:06 AMJust to agree with Martin, I too joined WD way back but life intervened. Embarrassingly I wasn't even aware it was still going. :-[
Here it be ....
https://wargamedevelopments.org/
Thanks :)
Me too lol
Quote from: Jim Webster on Jul 12, 2026, 07:59 PMwhere exactly is Cranfield?
South of Wigan...
...terra incognito as far as you are concerned, Jim.
;D
Quote from: Nick Harbud on Jul 15, 2026, 02:25 PMQuote from: Jim Webster on Jul 12, 2026, 07:59 PMwhere exactly is Cranfield?
South of Wigan...
...terra incognito as far as you are concerned, Jim.
;D
Well, we've dragons down this way.
What can you expect, living so close to Wales? ;D
Quote from: Nick Harbud on Jul 15, 2026, 02:25 PMQuote from: Jim Webster on Jul 12, 2026, 07:59 PMwhere exactly is Cranfield?
South of Wigan...
...terra incognito as far as you are concerned, Jim.
;D
Once you get south of Lancaster on the M6 motorways degenerate and civilised life becomes impossible. North of Junction 36 and everything is so much more reasonable 8)
Quote from: Nick Harbud on Jul 15, 2026, 03:33 PMWhat can you expect, living so close to Wales? ;D
:)
Where's Wigan?
And does it really have a Pier?
And what's the M1...etc.....
Eh its grim down suff...
CarlL up norff
I may venture that way come the autumn...
Wigan does have a pier, I have seen it
Pier-1-1024x768.jpg
But where are the pies...
Not had one I'm afraid
Not been to Wigan for years, but then it is 90 miles away. (Same distance as to Carlisle, our 'county town')
Actually Wigan was long famous for Uncle Joe's Mint Balls https://uncle-joes.com/
Travelling north from London by train, arriving at Wigan and seeing the big painted sign for Uncle Joe's Mint Balls told you that you had finally arrived in the North and were entering civilisation 8)
Quote from: Imperial Dave on Jul 17, 2026, 04:23 PMBut where are the pies...
I think the actual question is "Who ate all the pies?" Followed by "You fat bastard!" :)
Quote from: Erpingham on Jul 17, 2026, 04:55 PMQuote from: Imperial Dave on Jul 17, 2026, 04:23 PMBut where are the pies...
I think the actual question is "Who ate all the pies?" Followed by "You fat bastard!" :)
So far over my head I never heard the ricochet ;)
We've not had a telly for over twenty years now 8)
The pies are great - I used to regularly indulge whilst commissioning the new baked bean line at Kitt Green 40 years ago. Can't recall the name of the place, but it might have been Baldy's (https://www.baldys.uk/).
:P
I will be giving a preview of my Bannockburn lecture for Battle Day 2027 at the Convention. I have been casting around for wargaming interpretations of the battle. I think that I have found an interesting one in the Paper Soldiers series produced by Helion and illustrated by Peter Dennis. However, I'm not sure that I have the time or the skill to make up all the necessary cardboard figures. It occurred to me that there might be someone - possibly a student or other offspring of a SOA member - who might be prepared to do the necessary skilled work for a mutually-agreed payment. Any takers? Matt B
Quote from: Bohemond on Jul 20, 2026, 05:23 PMI will be giving a preview of my Bannockburn lecture for Battle Day 2027 at the Convention. I have been casting around for wargaming interpretations of the battle. I think that I have found an interesting one in the Paper Soldiers series produced by Helion and illustrated by Peter Dennis. However, I'm not sure that I have the time or the skill to make up all the necessary cardboard figures. It occurred to me that there might be someone - possibly a student or other offspring of a SOA member - who might be prepared to do the necessary skilled work for a mutually-agreed payment. Any takers? Matt B
Just been looking at that series. Interesting idea, but not really my scene modelling or time wise. Hope your search is successful and look forward to your lecture.
Quote from: Bohemond on Jul 20, 2026, 05:23 PMI think that I have found an interesting one in the Paper Soldiers series produced by Helion and illustrated by Peter Dennis. It occurred to me that there might be someone - possibly a student or other offspring of a SOA member - who might be prepared to do the necessary skilled work for a mutually-agreed payment. Any takers? Matt B
I've some experience with Peter's "Paperboys" series, happy to give some pointers.
They are being used for a Hastings game at the Other Partizan this year. Game is 1:1 figure/man ratio so volunteers were needed. I signed up for 2 bases, Huscarls, then did a further 2 bases of bowmen/crossbow when someone dropped out.
If you're planning on a similar team effort it's best to have everyone use the same materials. 120gsm paper, it seems slim and flimsy but it stiffens up when glued together and it's much easier to cut than say 150gsm or 180gsm. Pretty robust if smeared with PVA or 'Modge-Podge' before basing.
Talking of basing, we were told to use 1.5mm 'Finnboard' as it's fairly warp resistant to gluing.
Scissors.
Peter recommends the Beadative brand. I ruined a fair few stands attempting to snip with cheap home/office scissors, the recommended brand work much better.
Colouring the cut edges with a grey or brown felt tip really improves the look.
Thanks very much for this info! Especially useful are your tips on the paper grade, cutting and gluing. Also, a team effort rather than an individual one looks sound. Matt
Quote from: Bohemond on Jul 21, 2026, 05:34 PMThanks very much for this info!
You're welcome Matt.
Are you thinking of going with 28mm ?
I scanned my copy of the Castle Assault book. Happy to print and snip a page or two as the Hastings layout was different from the books. I might spot something worth pointing out.