Having almost completely recovered from my recent stomach problems, I felt well enough to visit to CAVALIER, the annual wargames show that is held in Tonbridge, Kent. As usual, it was organised by the Tunbridge Wells Wargames Society, and the venue was the Angel Centre, which is very close to several car parks and only a stone's throw far from the town's main shopping street.
The show took place in several rooms in the venue. The main hall housed most of the traders and some of the games, ...
... whilst just along the corridor ...
... was a further smaller hall that was the venue for more games and the Bring-and-Buy ...
... and a small room that housed the Society of Ancients' game.
The first game I visited was being run by Martin Goddard of PETER PIG, and was his PIECES OF EIGHT pirate game.
Nearby was an interesting Renaissance game staged by the Hailsham Wargames Club.
This featured several of Leonard da Vinci's creations, including an ornithology and circular armoured fighting vehicle.
Next to that was Crawley Wargames Club's World War II TIGER,TIGER BURNING BRIGHT game ...
... and a large Colonial wargame.
One wargame that did impress me because of the range of warships and landing craft that were present, was THE 'REAL' GUNS OF NAVARONE, which was put on by Deal Wargames Association. It recreated Operation Brassard, the invasion of Elba, 16 to 20 June 1944.
In the Medway Hall, the Gamer's Guild chose put on an English Civil War cavalry encounter called SKIRMISH AT STAPLETHORPE.
Next to them the Maidstone Wargames Society were re-fighting an air combat from the so-called 'Football War' between Honduras and El Salvador. Both sides were equipped with US Word War II-vintage fighter aircraft, the Vought Corsair and North American Mustang respectively.
Tonbridge Wargames Club ran a Boxer Rebellion battle ...
... and Milton Hundred Wargames Club demonstrated the LION RAMPANT rules.
South East Essex Military Society's game was set in a dystopian version of the near-future ...
... and Emotionally14's STAR WARS battle attracted a few interested onlookers.
In the small room at the end of the corridor, Professor Phil Sabin was running THE BATTLE OF ZAMA on behalf of the Society of Ancients.
I met a few well-known wargame bloggers whilst at Cavalier, including David Crook, Ray Rousell, and Big Lee ... and almost uniquely for me, I bought something on the Bring-and-Buy. The box of German World War I Stormtroopers will probably take their place amongst the growing number of 20mm figures I am currently renovating, varnishing, and re-basing, and may well turn up on the Eastern Front as second-line German garrison or security troops if they do not become the core of of a small interwar imagi-nation army. (Ironically, after buying them, I discovered that they had been painted by Neil Fox, who I have known for many years as a result of our join participation in Eric Knowles's Madasahatta Campaign. It's a small world, isn't it!)
During my time at CAVALIER I managed to have a long chat with David Crook about the book he is planning to write, and he kindly gave me a number of books about the Battle of Waterloo:
The show took place in several rooms in the venue. The main hall housed most of the traders and some of the games, ...
... whilst just along the corridor ...
... was a further smaller hall that was the venue for more games and the Bring-and-Buy ...
... and a small room that housed the Society of Ancients' game.
The first game I visited was being run by Martin Goddard of PETER PIG, and was his PIECES OF EIGHT pirate game.
Nearby was an interesting Renaissance game staged by the Hailsham Wargames Club.
This featured several of Leonard da Vinci's creations, including an ornithology and circular armoured fighting vehicle.
Next to that was Crawley Wargames Club's World War II TIGER,TIGER BURNING BRIGHT game ...
... and a large Colonial wargame.
One wargame that did impress me because of the range of warships and landing craft that were present, was THE 'REAL' GUNS OF NAVARONE, which was put on by Deal Wargames Association. It recreated Operation Brassard, the invasion of Elba, 16 to 20 June 1944.
In the Medway Hall, the Gamer's Guild chose put on an English Civil War cavalry encounter called SKIRMISH AT STAPLETHORPE.
Next to them the Maidstone Wargames Society were re-fighting an air combat from the so-called 'Football War' between Honduras and El Salvador. Both sides were equipped with US Word War II-vintage fighter aircraft, the Vought Corsair and North American Mustang respectively.
Tonbridge Wargames Club ran a Boxer Rebellion battle ...
... and Milton Hundred Wargames Club demonstrated the LION RAMPANT rules.
South East Essex Military Society's game was set in a dystopian version of the near-future ...
... and Emotionally14's STAR WARS battle attracted a few interested onlookers.
In the small room at the end of the corridor, Professor Phil Sabin was running THE BATTLE OF ZAMA on behalf of the Society of Ancients.
I met a few well-known wargame bloggers whilst at Cavalier, including David Crook, Ray Rousell, and Big Lee ... and almost uniquely for me, I bought something on the Bring-and-Buy. The box of German World War I Stormtroopers will probably take their place amongst the growing number of 20mm figures I am currently renovating, varnishing, and re-basing, and may well turn up on the Eastern Front as second-line German garrison or security troops if they do not become the core of of a small interwar imagi-nation army. (Ironically, after buying them, I discovered that they had been painted by Neil Fox, who I have known for many years as a result of our join participation in Eric Knowles's Madasahatta Campaign. It's a small world, isn't it!)
During my time at CAVALIER I managed to have a long chat with David Crook about the book he is planning to write, and he kindly gave me a number of books about the Battle of Waterloo:
- WATERLOO by Commandant Henry Lachouque
- WATERLOO: THE HUNDRED DAYS by David Chandler
- WATERLOO: THE HISTORY OF FOUR DAYS, THREE ARMIES AND THREE BATTLES by Bernard Cornwall
- WATERLOO NEW PERSPECTIVE: THE GREAT BATTLE REAPPRAISED by David Hamilton-Williams
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Bob,
ReplyDeleteGlad that you were well enough to go to CAVALIER. Thank you for Posting up such a fine Report on the days activities. I certainly do appreciate being able to see what is going on with the interests of various game clubs and socities.Good too that you had the chance to meet up with some old Pals. Regards. KEV.
Kev Robertson (Kev),
DeleteI was determined to be well enough to go to Cavalier if it was at all possible.
What was nice was to see lots of wargames that were not clones of each other and that were not just moving dioramas. I was also impressed by the number of games where there was plenty of information about the game and the rules being used, and where at least one person was available to talk to anyone who showed an interest in the game.
It was also good to meet some old friends and to make new acquaintances. That alone made the effort of going worth it.
All the best,
Bob
If you are collecting reading material on Waterloo then this is a bargain - https://www.theworks.co.uk/p/general/waterloo---the-decisive-victory/9781472801043
ReplyDeleteNigel Drury,
DeleteThanks very much for the suggestion. I'll look out for a copy.
All the best,
Bob
This has also been recommended though I haven't seen it.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Waterloo-Companion-Complete-Historys-Famous/dp/185410764X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1551095931&sr=8-2&keywords=waterloo+companion+adkin
DeleteIf it as good as his Trafalgar companion then definitely worth having. The latter covers so much more than just Trafalgar in very clear detail.
Nigel Drury,
DeleteYet another vote of thanks for your suggestion.
All the best,
Bob
Bob,
ReplyDeleteBe aware that the David Hamilton-Williams book was discredited years ago by Peter Hofschroer (and inspired him to do his own research into Waterloo and William Siborne's models).
See lengthy TMP discussion (good for insomnia): http://www.theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=134915
Peter's own works on Waterloo were criticised at the time, and - sadly - his personal life and conviction now makes some question his probity and hence the validity of his research and conclusions. He certainly had an axe to grind re Wellington and the Prussians, but made no secret of it - and did not refer in his footnotes to other books he had yet to publish, as did DH-W.
Best wishes,
Arthur
Arthur1815 (Arthur),
DeleteThanks for the warning.
It's a great pity that Peter Hofschroer's research has been overshadowed and diminished by events in his personal life, but I still think that the arrival of the Prussians on the French right flank did help to secure the final allied victory at Waterloo.
All the best,
Bob
Goodness me, that thread is a horror! I had safely forgotten that...
DeleteJWH,
DeleteIt is probably best forgotten.
All the best,
Bob
Glad you were able to make it to the show and there were some nice looking games on display.
ReplyDeleteSteve J.,
DeleteI'm very pleased that I was well enough to go to CAVALIER. There seemed to be slightly fewer games taking place this year, but the quality certainly made up for it.
All the best,
Bob
I quite enjoyed my Sunday at the show, good to meet up although it was brief!
ReplyDeleteRay Rousell,
DeleteI also enjoyed CAVALIER, and it was great to see you there.
All the best,
Bob
I'd like to know the rules for the Da Vinci inventions and how they fared in the game.
ReplyDeleteJames James,
DeleteI'm afraid I cannot answer your queries.
All the best,
Bob
Thanks for showing us, it looked a good day. Interesting to see the assembled gamers - and they say it's an ageing hobby? 😀
ReplyDeleteDavid in Suffolk,
DeleteIt was my pleasure to share my photo-report.
Is it an ageing hobby? That certainly isn't my impression.
All the best,
Bob
Just me being cheeky!
DeleteDavid in Suffolk,
DeleteI had a feeling that you might have been.
All the best,
Bob
Bob,
ReplyDeleteI've read the books you were given, and they are all worthwhile, although I had expected more from Chandler. I was especially impressed by the Hamilton-Williams work.
Best regards,
Chris
Chris,
DeleteThanks for the endorsement of the books. They are on my 'to read' pile ... which isn't getting any smaller!
All the best,
Bob