(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUdF9SZYfz5UnrMdIhL6Nwqegx-qa16CjtXIfsU94VnDf_c53Ap4ZPH3jqjfo1k0q2L42li-bn0ayNs8jc9eRK4QT-AkGgBKJ8FqCux6X9FRfaiSZwK6EGe4NUWg9oZtMLDdBFjJ-m0dmOYe3zJEjSrWBvQAgsTX3mR61B7heHZv6_Mj6bw2fobj4SObB/s1600/BOONDOCK%20SAINTS%202.jpg)
I had the pleasure of attending The Other Partizan hosted by by Laurence Baldwin and Richard Tyndall (Newark Irregulars), the UK's premiere wargames show in terms of the quality of games.
For over 120 photo's of my sojourn through the hall and of the games at the show please go to my Just Add Water blog here:
https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2026/10/the-other-partizan-october-11th-2026.html
Samples.....
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcTtfl5HKnLeBis8QWn0JGMv0yGlj_9f0HVz0H5PzARAGXGHItFw0dTQcuIqERi8v7TA0OgcTcHvs1zY4P65dNp6XA1_r-kWCGoFx_tJs5weWPqXEUUPQznT8yGjdCjtUrAeooXqyuUzpgTv2Yh_e8xRvY8EOXH0Q3Vszg85HVdEIS5nUVJZKhM2LYbw-/s1600/THE%20BUNKER-%20INDIAN%20WARS-%20THE%20BATTLE%20OF%20LITTLE%20BIG%20HORN%202.jpg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TYtu1AKREO4dhGe-fZ7AJV403FVMVda5ZZ1CR6x6JJ3UHlXPfp_nuyDMi8iSXv_0IsNwqJfw_68G1B0T70zCVbDoDS_URo4e8q9RTamxSkUZ6sBvouzQ0fYFcRWdbEvCpbUjqNH6pWT7GVl21sARXtwJ-QEIoDp0WFgaQdLHNh-wqH5kVkM00HhE2Fuz/s1600/THE%20BODKINS%20BRITANNIA%20AD60%2011.jpg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IPT-1V9oyTqIF51XjIz4rvFpxUcm-1-2tbepMbTfzQtsx14kC7C3ykL4hcXLk_65GvQMNtBymzHrmyYWbObkHiIpK8KscJCgbfye-l4f-vlFPUg7CfKMlO6kyky4lu-M9zw0HvRyr_mbwtFLkXw7c1-p1WSxACzjXaXZPXQ0de1J8yIRxZwB5Gut1Ms_/s1600/SKIRMISH%20WARGAMES%2054MM%20SAMURAI%20DEATH%20ION%20THE%20LAND%20OF%20CHERRY%20BLOSSOM%203.jpg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9agAtl3U_9eAwuyENoY3600E_siloWtJ8_e9SF-rhnbgIJKPNTxKlZ9uai00KNzjuuXvotUzaAJ5TvCH2MStTQqGPKTcdGmAA4onJJhVCe7z7Zg41AMW4r00F0HAY5BV9mGtyUO9rMiAEm_aIfdLRl3dVhyphenhyphen3bZO0s5T3Yg7lICHRIFmOjibaYQsjzaZo0/s1600/MR%20STEVE%20JONES-%2028mm%20AMERICAN%20WAR%20OF%20INDEPENDENCE-%20THE%20BATTLE%20OF%20HUBBARDTON%208.jpg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8BgErImMC0kuxgqEF9F-Uy-wNVJsg-kJ5ZT76D3WiKPaQazmwmeoWRfM41_X6Tjtc0HRBxGxSlPtMuFisdRNRgWDFARfUWUE7N-G1UyPBMqEfp_o9YX_CV8JGtICX73huAGYa44tdWJJcStxvOviHiievx2-5YtvV6mCB9PFEofDajkwrhrphqtJ5Ij8/s1600/MIDGARD%20NARNIA%206.jpg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1z4Tw79ofFTkC_G7M5s9fp5HUFYGheozVddDf8JGcTZxQdyqw66fmdMm0ymKTHhBM8eaBYus2vAI7nb6dXXL9tWExEweeIWsyYN7gAysYszeP79OL-DgikAOkryVBMwG0lyoUnHwMtQSWiI8cUofaiwbXpcL8vtXerxs06hRDitDCT2G_YWMrUdoa4HDZ/s1600/LEAGUE%20OF%20AUGSBURG%20WAR%20OF%20THE%20SPANISH%20SUCCESSION%20CHURCHILL'S%20CHALLENGE%202.jpg)
Cheers
Thanks - some very nice pics of excellent looking games.
One observation - in the third photo, the semi-circular casualty markers/dice holders were far less obtrusive than the usual square or round ones which one sees, and it was more immediately apparent which unit the marker related to. My own, on circular washers, may need a rethink...
Huh? No shots of the President's magnificent gladiatorial arena then?
:(
Quote from: Martin Smith on Oct 13, 2026, 07:01 AMThanks - some very nice pics of excellent looking games.
One observation - in the third photo, the semi-circular casualty markers/dice holders were far less obtrusive than the usual square or round ones which one sees, and it was more immediately apparent which unit the marker related to. My own, on circular washers, may need a rethink...
I share your view that circular casualty markers are more obtrusive than these neat semi-circles. Only problem for me is that I bought lots of circular counters :(
Nice!
This prompts me to ask a technical question about the forum. I thought each post was restricted to four photographs. Darrell has managed to apparently add seven. What don't I know; how was that done?
Quote from: Adrian Nayler on Oct 13, 2026, 01:02 PMhow was that done?
The four photo limit is for attached files. I suspect Darrell has loaded links to elsewhere on the internet into the text using "Insert an image".
Ah, thank you Anthony. Something I shall be unable to do myself.
Here is Richard's splendid Gladiolus Arena, mainly scratch built with components from IGS, and spectators provided by Sally 4th and Bunker Miniatures.
SoA Stand at Partizan (Oct 26).jpeg
"the UK's premiere wargames show in terms of the quality of games."
That's a rather interesting choice of words, the sentiment of which I've seen conveyed elsewhere.
Personally, I much prefer to go to Hammerhead than Partizan and I suspect I probably won't bother with going to both Partizan's from this year on if I bother going to one. I found the layout to be significantly worse than usual, with far too many games crammed in, the vast majority of which were on ridiculously large tables. In my humble opinion this is the logical endpoint of the direction of travel that's been underway for at least the past 10 years - bigger and bigger tables, designed to show off the size of the wallet and the ego, rather than any genuine intent to showcase the hobby.
Obviously it suits some people, judging by the attendance figures, but for me I find it more a social event catching up with people I've not seen for a while, and occasionally the opportunity to buy something, plus the bring and buy, rather than a visual spectacular.
Hammerhead with it's 100% participation ethos has a more valuable part to play IMO, allowing the taste before buy approach to new rules, different periods and so on. Apart from one chap on the Iwo Jima table, not one person playing a "demo" game attempted to interact with me in any way shape or form, not to explain the rules, the game, the figures, the rationale behind the demo or the club that was putting it on. I personally find that a shame.
And the society stands being in the gazebo entrance annex...that's just ridiculous IMO. Nowhere near enough room, and frankly I'd find it a bit disrespectful.
I agree with some of Gavin's observations, particularly the size, layout and content of the games being exhibited. I mean, I only got to have a look around the show after 2:30 when it was a lot quieter, but it still seemed fairly cramped.
At the Colours show in Newbury, we are able to attract a far more balanced selection of games and exhibitors. Yeah, we have several big games, but most of them fit on 6'x5' tables that are the staple of most club meetings. This year we had nearly 30 games, as well as a DBA competition, a Boardgames Café and the Bring & Buy all on a single floor. Yet, the layout allowed 1-2 metres around all tables, which I consider key to good visitor circulation. Many of the exhibitors were game designers who were only too ready to explain their games and co-opt visitors into taking part - another key factor. Success could be judged by the noise level on the games floor that was higher than on either of the trade floors!
Regarding location of the Society stand, I thought this better than the position in the main hall that we had during the May show. I mean, we were the first stand everyone saw when they entered the show, and the first couple of hours were hectic - we sold our complete stock of Gladiolus within the first 5 minutes!
Anyway, despite all my picky comments and unfavourable comparisons with what is, after all, the best small wargames show in the south of England, I still think Partizan is great show and I anticipate we will have a stand there next year. We are also looking to have a presence at several other more northerly shows. If anyone would like to help, please send PM to me.
8)
Guys, you're most welcome- my pleasure.
Quote from: Nick Harbud on Oct 13, 2026, 07:35 AMHuh? No shots of the President's magnificent gladiatorial arena then?
:(
Well, perhaps strangely I went down to enjoy the games as well as socialise with folk I only get to see every six months so unfortunately I didn't get to see all the games- sorry about that.
Quote from: Adrian Nayler on Oct 13, 2026, 01:02 PMThis prompts me to ask a technical question about the forum. I thought each post was restricted to four photographs. Darrell has managed to apparently add seven. What don't I know; how was that done?
Hi Adrian, the pictures are hyperlinked from my blog. Do, right click on image, click "Copy image address", then simply paste onto desired destination.
Quote from: Atheling on Oct 18, 2026, 09:54 PMHi Adrian, the pictures are hyperlinked from my blog. Do, right click on image, click "Copy image address", then simply paste onto desired destination.
Thanks Darrell, A simple enough procedure when you know how. That's my one thing I've learned today!