As usual RECON took place on the first Saturday of December at Pudsey Civic Hall. It is a small show with the usual trade and games by local clubs, a tabletop sale, bring and buy and HOTT tournament. In addition to our Welsh Wars of Edward I battle, the medieval period was also represented by a "Baron's War' game put on by Leeds Night Owls. This featured some very eye-catching winter terrain.
Next to them were Bramley Barn Wargames Club who had a "Midgard" participation game game.
It was a fantasy scenario but it gave a good flavour for the rules and chatting to one of the club members the rules were easily picked up by the members of the public who tried them. As with our group, the show was seen as a way of inviting new people into trying the hobby. Indeed, virtually all the games I saw were participation games, varying from Snoopy and the Red Dragon to scientists battling raptors via Space Marines.
There were a reasonable number of traders and I was particularly pleased to see Instant Armies who can usually be relied upon to have the few figures needed to round off a unit or that extra general for a larger force.
We only played through our game once, but we did have three willing participants in Jim, Charlie and Paul. The result was an English victory, though it was hard fought.
I was very pleased with the Wargames Designs flags for the Welsh units; a bit larger than the Freezywater ones, but they certainly added to the spectacle. My thanks to Steve and Will for helping with the game and also Dave for providing some very welcome refreshments.
The organisers (Pit Gaming) may have been disappointed with the numbers of public attending. It was fairly busy up to 12 o'clock. but after that dropped off quickly so I am not sure if there will be a Recon 2026.
The 12 - 1 O’ clock thing does seem to be a problem with several shows. I know Hammerhead go heavily down the route of only having participation games so that punters stay.
ReplyDeleteLast time I went to Hammerhead, I had my spend and then did some participation play and then went back, later afternoon, to get a couple things that I had fancied the first time around that morning and had managed to talk myself into getting while staying on and getting involved with a game - so that seems to be the system working! Accepted …. Hammerhead is a much bigger show.
Your knights look rather nice :-)
Thank you Norm, I agree about participation games, when at Partizan Steve and I usually try one out after lunch when we have 1: had our spend and met up with friends and 2: the crowds have thinned a little.
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I missed the show due to personal reasons and I see the yarkshire gamer likewise had to cancel his attendance and demo game. So some people don’t attend quite unexpectedly. A general decline in numbers - I guess it’s still partly due to age profiles and games played - historical was a common thread at recon- which is why the previous and current organisers did bring in a more varied range of games, traders etc. In fact for recon I feel it is also the date. At one time first week in December was a safe part of the calendar. But now quite simply Christmas starts mid November and is rolled up into Black Friday, incipient American thanksgiving crossing the pond and generally is now a busy time. Add to this that the first weekend in December dies slide about the calendar moveable feast wise then some year are better than others. Long comment to say I do hope pit gaming do find a way to keep this show alive.
ReplyDeleteA final bit on attendance-I have seen helion and Dave lanchester books less and less at shows and at recon there used to be an osprey new books seller - I reckon that book traders would disproportionately add to footfall in more recent times so if their not there then maybe 10/15% of visitors will not bother going even though they may have still shopped and played. It’s that combination for an older generation which got them through the door or out of their homes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Norber. Yes the current organisers are to be applauded for their efforts to keep the show going. They have made it free entry, kept the bring and buy going and also promote veterans charities and all in the face of an uncertain future for the venue. As regards booksellers, Dave Lanchester was there this year,( he missed last year due to illness), and he seemed to be quite busy.
ReplyDeleteDavid
Thanks David good to Dave Lanchester made it back.
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