Whilst I was away on my latest cruise, Brian Cameron (a regular blog reader and fellow wargamer whom I have known for forty years) sent me a link to a short film report about John Ruddle's garden wargames that appeared on the BBC's Nationwide programme back in 1978.
The report includes some wonderful views of John Ruddle's collection of buildings, figures, and model ships as well the collection of figures that did not take part in his garden wargames.
I was able to capture some screenshots from the report, and they show some of John Ruddle's buildings, figures, and model ships in some detail.
I find this very inspiring, and I only wish that my garden did not have a 1-in-10 slope!
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Hi Bob
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic project. Seeing the video was even more impressive than the individual photographs. It made my knees ache just looking at him putting each individual model soldier in place.
I was even more impressed with his "indoor collection" of what appeared to be old model soldiers.
I have never heard of him, or his collection, until you posted on your blog. The video is 1978, when the wargame community was much smaller and I am surprised that I never heard any mention in the relatively few wargame magazines available then.
Not my scale or period, but I really enjoyed reading about him. Is he still alive? Any idea what happened to his collection?
regards
Paul
Thistlebarrow (Paul),
DeleteI’m very pleased that you enjoyed the video. John Ruddle’s garden wargaming terrain was truly incredible.
He was a leading light in the BMSS, but seems to have ‘retired’ from active involvement and may well be dead. I’ve tried to track him down, but with no luck so far.
All the best,
Bob
Bob -
ReplyDeleteI can't get enough of Mr Ruddle's mini-World. I particularly like his townscapes and sea ports.
That reminds me - have you ever seen anything of Peter Shulman's War. The genesis of this artist's hobby is rather sad, but the concept is amazing.
https://peterswar.com/
Cheers,
Ion
Archduke Piccolo (Ion),
DeleteI’d love to be able to emulate what John Ruddle achieved on my tabletop. Perhaps one day I will.
I have visited Peter Shulman’s War many times, and was very saddened to read the background story to his collection. I hope that creating his collection gave him a lot of pleasure. He certainly deserved it.
All the best,
Bob
Bob,
ReplyDeleteI very much like John's HMS Warspite battleship - excellent 1/32nd scale model with the British Sailors- just great. I've only been close to doing Garden Gaming once and only got as far as painting up WW1 Germans and British plastic 54mm armies- seems the problem was that my friends were all to old and unwilling to go through the rigors of outdoor gaming- alas. Thanks for posting John's photos- most interesting. Cheers. KEV.
Kev Robertson (Kev),
DeleteI’m glad that you enjoyed this series of photos.
I have a significant number of 54mm Britains figures and artillery pieces that I’d love to be able to use … but my knees just aren’t up to it these days!
All the best,
Bob