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Friday 18 March 2022

A trip the The Works

During a trip to a shopping centre in Chatham, Kent, I visit a branch of 'The Works'. I had been given a gift voucher for the shop as part of a Christmas present, and after a long look around, I bought one of their '10 in 1 Wooden Game Sets' for £12.00.

The box contains all the equipment for ten traditional games:

  • Backgammon
  • Chess
  • Chinese Chequers
  • Dominoes
  • Mikado
  • Nine Men Morris
  • Ludo
  • Playing Cards
  • Draughts
  • Snakes & Ladders

It struck me that it was a cornucopia of useful bits and pieces, and even if I didn't actually play any of the games, the parts would come in useful. The wooden box everything came in is a very useful size and may provide the basis for a travel version of both the PORTABLE WARGAME and the FAST PLAY 3 x 3 PORTABLE WARGAME.

For now, the games set is going to sit on the shelves of my toy/wargame room, but no doubt it will be raided in the near future to provided ideas and pieces for my wargame designs.


Please note that the images featured above are © The Works.

10 comments:

  1. Hmmm. Interesting… We’re out shopping this evening so I may well call in at The Works and check this out.
    What are the internal dimensions of the box Bob? Most of my figures have DBx basing so a 40mm frontage, although I do have some 2mm Irregular Miniatures figures based on half-size DBx bases, so a chessboard with, say, 20-25mm square would be just “fine and dandy” as they say.
    All the best,
    Geoff

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elliesdad (Geoff),

      The internal dimensions of the box are: 26.2cm x 26.2cm x 3cm. The 3cm is from the bottom of the box to the bottom of the groove that the lid slides into.

      The wooden lid is: 27.5cm x 27.5cm, and the various cardboard boards (including the chessboard) are 25.8cm x 25.8cm. the squares of the chessboard are 28mm x 28mm.

      I hope that this information is of use to you.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
    2. Thanks Bob.
      I couldn’t see any of the 10 in 1 Game Sets in The Works at Meadowhall (near Sheffield). I did, however, buy a 40cm x 30cm canvas which I hope to paint as a battlefield. Kind regards,
      Geoff

      Delete
    3. Elliesdad (Geoff),

      I understand that it can be bought online via their website.

      The canvas sound like an excellent basis for a battlefield.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  2. Looks like an attractive set with all sorts of possibilities!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ross Mac,

      It certainly does ... and one or two of them are already beginning to whir about in my head!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  3. ... I know how to make a siege cannon with 2 white pawns and a black rook...

    But the whole thing sounds like a very useful 'resource kit' for wargames accessories.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Archduke Piccolo,

      That sounds like an interesting conversion!

      You are right about the box’s contents. It has loads of possibilities.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  4. BOB,
    Interesting what can be found at 'Dollar Shops' / 'Junk Shops'/ 'Bargain Shops'...usually at reasonable prices. The other day I was visiting Camden- NSW...at the Dollar Shop they had a rather nice Sea Shell- though I balked at the price of $36....seems I should go South the Kiama- NSW closer to the sea for Sea Shells at affordable price. Have a great weekend there in London. Cheers. KEV.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kev Robertson (Kev),

      I am always on the lookout for a bargain, Sue and I visit discount stores quite often. The biggest in the UK is Poundland, and they often have odd bits and pieces on sale that are of interest to wargamers.

      Keep safe and keep well,

      Bob

      Delete

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