SELWG 2013 Photo Report

There are two big shows in my convention calender and not unsuprisingly they are London based and therefore 'local' for me. Some day I will get outside the M25 and hit some of the large shows elsewhere in the UK (or maybe even the continent!) but for now shows like SELWG will have to suffice. So earlier today I drove down to Crystal Palalce for a very cold and wet start to my last big wargames show of the year where I met up with fellow Rejects, Postie, Ray and Fran. As usual I shot several hundred pictures but for a change I was home early enough to allow time to work through them and post my favourite shots today.

SELWG 2013

GLC Games - Battle of Steenkirk 1692

GLC Games - Battle of Steenkirk 1692

Society of Ancients - Battle of Zama

East Grinstead - Crossfire

Redhill Wargames - Battle of Valle Las Terreno Aldea

Redhill Wargames - Battle of Valle Las Terreno Aldea

Streatham & Tooting - This War Without an Enemy ECW

Shepway Wargames - Wagons Roll - Nobovidy 1422

Pike & Shot Society - Newbury 1644

SE London Wargames - Vikings

Loughton Strike Force - Attack on Ponyri

Loughton Strike Force - Attack on Ponyri

Deal Wargames Club - Sunset over Shumshu

Deal Wargames Club - Sunset over Shumshu

Essex Warriors - War of the Roses

Essex Warriors - War of the Roses

Crawley Wargames Club - Fraustadt 1706

Maidstone Wargames - Those Magnificent Men

Maidstone Wargames - Those Magnificent Men

North London Wargames - Save the Bridge

North London Wargames - Save the Bridge

SEEMS - Tabletop Teasers - The War of Spanish Succession

SEEMS - Tabletop Teasers - The War of Spanish Succession

SEEMS - Tabletop Teasers - The War of Spanish Succession

SEEMS - Tabletop Teasers - The War of Spanish Succession

SEEMS - Tabletop Teasers - The War of Spanish Succession

Crush the Kaiser - Battle of the Marne

Crush the Kaiser - Battle of the Marne

Crush the Kaiser - Battle of the Marne

Southend Wargames - The Battlem of Cryslers Farm 1813

Southend Wargames - The Battlem of Cryslers Farm 1813

Newbury & Reading - Warlords of the 15th century

Newbury & Reading - Warlords of the 15th century

Scarab Miniatures - War & Conquest

Scarab Miniatures - War & Conquest

My favorite game of the show was the big Roman Battle of Thapsus by Simon Miller (aka BigRedBat). For me a good demo or participation game at a show should be as much about 'spectacle' as anything else, and this game had it by the bucket load. 

Simon Miller (aka BigRedBat) - Battle of Thapsus

Simon Miller - Battle of Thapsus

Simon Miller - Battle of Thapsus

Simon Miller  - Battle of Thapsus

Simon Miller - Battle of Thapsus

Simon Miller - Battle of Thapsus

The terrible weather seemed to put off gamers from the usual pre opening queue and the show was noticeably quite for the first hour or so. But it soon picked up and by mid-day I was struggling to get near to some of the trade stands. I don't know what sort of day the traders had but I certainly spent more than expected. I bought more magnetic sheets and some tape from Magnetic Displays and I also picked up quite a bit of terrain from S&A Scenics. I also topped up on more paints and spray varnish to replenish my stocks at home. And unknown to her, my lovely wife bought me Henry Hyde's Wargames Conpendium for Christmas! So all in all not a bad bundle of loot from my day at Crystal Palace.