Today, 10th June was the annual Durham Wargames Show put on by Durham Wargames Group at their club venue. I couldn’t make last year’s show so was determined to make this year. Luckily Lawrence was able to offer a lift and we arrived shortly after 10am. The bring and buy was in the pavillion on your right before you get to the main venue so we nipped in there first. It was quite busy with people booking stuff in and a good selection on the tables already. There was a table opposite that I think was meant for people booking in etc. but everyone seemed to be rummaging through the boxes there as well! Lots of books on the B&B but possibly not as many figures as previous years. And although quite busy for the first hour and a half I felt that by 11.30 everything that was going on was on and pretty well all the stuff that was going to sell was sold. There seemed to be a few bargains and the book prices were good. If I had spare shelf space I’d probably no longer have spare shelf space! 🙂
Hitting the bring and buy first was a good idea. I only had one thing on my shopping list, Jena, Auerstaedt: The Triumph of the Eagle by Francois-Guy Hourtoulle. 
I used to have a copy of this acquired during previous project starts for an 1806 Prussian Army but I have been unable to find it! I must have sold it on at some point when I gave up. I knew that Worley Books usually had copies for £10 so if nothing else I was going to buy that. But there on the bring and buy was a copy for £5! Bargain! Sorted!
In the same room was a nice looking 28mm ACW game using Johnny Reb 2 rules.
Very tidy game and nice to chat with Dave Jarvis both during the game and over coffee.
The main venue is two large rooms. There were only a dozen or so traders but all are fairly local and good to see them supporting the local show. Sadly, one of the traders, Northumbria Games, had a a closing down sale. I’ve seen them at many shows over the years and it is sad to see them go. I think the dominance of online purchases and Kickstarter played a big part. A shame…
The chaps from Old Glory UK usually put on a game at Durham rather than trade and had a nice looking late medieval game.
This was the only game in the right hand room. In the larger main ‘hall’ were the remaining traders and two more games. A WW2 skirmish:
And a nice looking game using the recent Pikeman’s Lament:
Durham is always a small show and for me is more about supporting the club and traders and having a good natter with the local players. It did seem quiet this year, possibly not helped by the rotten weather. I do hope it continues though as I always enjoy the day.
So given I had got the book I wanted and I’m trying to be sensible at the moment I started no new scales or periods and only bought four average dice! Not sure why but I’m sure they will come in somewhere!
Thanks to the Durham Wargames Group and nice to bump into a good few people and natter. And thanks again to Lawrence (and Rowena) for the lift!
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