Broadside is a small, local wargame show that has grown over recent years into one that I always try to visit. It is organised by the Milton Hundred Wargames Club, and the driving force behind its success is Alan Abbey ... someone I taught more years ago than either of us would care to admit to!
The show took place in the Swallows Leisure Centre, which is located in the centre of Sittingbourne. Parking can be difficult (although I had no problem finding somewhere to park this year) and the heat and humidity from the Centre's swimming pool can make conditions inside the building uncomfortable at times.
The flea market was located in a small room on the same floor as the entrance ...
... whilst the traders and games are in the sports hall, which is downstairs.
This can be accessed by a staircase or a lift, making the event accessible to anyone with mobility problems.
I seem to spend most of my time at wargame shows talking to people that I know, and this was no exception. Besides having a long chat with David Crook, I was able to talk to Tamsin Piper, Big Lee, Postie, and Ray Rousell. The latter three were running a game, which is featured below.
Lots of Kent-based clubs and groups were running games at Broadside, and wherever possible I took photographs of their offerings.
Rochester Games Models & Railway: Flames of War
Deal Wargames Association: The 'Real' Guns of Navarone (Operation Brassard, the invasion of Elba, 16th to 20th June 1944)
Skirmish Wargames: Mag Force 7
Shepway Wargamers: War in Middle Earth
Maidstone Wargames Society: Corsairs vs. Mustangs: The 100-hour War: The conflict between Honduras and El Salvador in July 1969
Posties Rejects: The Battle of Killicrankie 1689
SEEMS (South East Essex Military Society): 'The Colonel's Jammed and the Gatling's Dead': Zulu War Colonial battle
Interestingly, this show seemed somewhat more crowded than others that I have visited over the last year. I cannot put my finger on why, but a lot of it must be down to the effort put in by the members of the Milton Hundred Wargames Club to make it a show that attendees and traders want to go to.
The show took place in the Swallows Leisure Centre, which is located in the centre of Sittingbourne. Parking can be difficult (although I had no problem finding somewhere to park this year) and the heat and humidity from the Centre's swimming pool can make conditions inside the building uncomfortable at times.
The flea market was located in a small room on the same floor as the entrance ...
... whilst the traders and games are in the sports hall, which is downstairs.
This can be accessed by a staircase or a lift, making the event accessible to anyone with mobility problems.
I seem to spend most of my time at wargame shows talking to people that I know, and this was no exception. Besides having a long chat with David Crook, I was able to talk to Tamsin Piper, Big Lee, Postie, and Ray Rousell. The latter three were running a game, which is featured below.
Lots of Kent-based clubs and groups were running games at Broadside, and wherever possible I took photographs of their offerings.
Rochester Games Models & Railway: Flames of War
Deal Wargames Association: The 'Real' Guns of Navarone (Operation Brassard, the invasion of Elba, 16th to 20th June 1944)
Skirmish Wargames: Mag Force 7
Shepway Wargamers: War in Middle Earth
Maidstone Wargames Society: Corsairs vs. Mustangs: The 100-hour War: The conflict between Honduras and El Salvador in July 1969
Posties Rejects: The Battle of Killicrankie 1689
SEEMS (South East Essex Military Society): 'The Colonel's Jammed and the Gatling's Dead': Zulu War Colonial battle
Interestingly, this show seemed somewhat more crowded than others that I have visited over the last year. I cannot put my finger on why, but a lot of it must be down to the effort put in by the members of the Milton Hundred Wargames Club to make it a show that attendees and traders want to go to.
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Great pics Bob and great to have a very brief chat.
ReplyDeleteRay Rousell,
DeleteIt was great to meet you and the rest of Posties Rejects ... and I thought that yours was one of the two best games on show at Broadside.
All the best,
Bob
Looks like a good outing.
ReplyDeleteRoss Mac,
DeleteIt was a great show ... and only sixty minutes away by car!
All the best,
Bob
Great report Bob. It was good to see you on Sunday, even if only briefly :)
ReplyDeleteTamsinP,
DeleteIt was great to see you, and I'm pleased that you enjoyed my blog post.
All the best,l
Bob