Broadside 2012 - Show Report

Yesterday Posties Rejects descended on the Broadside Wargames show in Sittingbourne. Our demo game kept us quite busy all day with lots of spectators and friends old and new coming to say hello. We were so busy on our table that I didn't get much time to look round the rest of the show which is a pity because it was packed with great games and interesting traders. I did get some photos but in nothing like the numbers I normally take. I'll post pictures from our Demo game later but in the meantime here's a brief pictorial review of the rest of the show.

An excellent display of original equipment from the Zulu war

Operation Deadstick - The Coup de Main at Pegasus Bridge in 6mm - This excellent demo game was awarded Best in Show.

Southend Wargames - The Battle of Benfleet featured some excellent terrain

The show seemed a lot busier this year (I understand visitor numbers were up on last year) although it did tail off significantly after 3pm. Several of the traders said business has been good although a few others were less sure. Certainly it seemed to me that a lot of money was changing hands and once again the gaming community has shown its ability to shrug off 'recession' and 'austerity'.

Romans v's Gauls (I think) - A very impressive looking table

Medway Wargames Society - A Gladiatorial Game that was a hit with younger gamers. The point at which I came in the Gladiator had lost both legs but was still fighting off the lion! 

Skirmish Wargames - A Maori War game featuring a mix of figures including some by Empress and Perry Miniatures as well as soft plastic figures from other manufacturers.

I was impressed by the variety of games on show this year, covering periods such as Ancients, Roman, Middle Ages, Franco Prussian War, Napoleonics, WWI, WWII and modern as well as fantasy and sci-fi. There also seemed to be a lot of non-gamers and their kids wandering around and enjoying what they were seeing which was great.

Medway Wargames Society - Dust Tactics. I'm still like the look of this game but I resisted the temptation to buy the starter box even though it was on offer at the show. 

Milton Hundred Wargames Club - A Rapid Fire game

Rainham (Medway) Wargames Club - Force on Force modern wargaming

'Postie' of Posties Rejects - Battle of Amiens 1918

Although I didn't get to explore the show as much as I normally would have I still enjoyed it a lot. I think this is an event that will grow in years to come and can only go from strength to strength because it really did feel friendly, open and diverse. Well done to the Milton Hundreds for putting on the show and I look forward to coming again next year.