Monday 20 November 2017

Final preparations for Battleground on Saturday

This Saturday I shall be heading off down to Stockton for the Battleground show, one of the best in the country and a great location just off the A66/A19. Its also just an hour from home so quite handy too. In the new year, when we have moved, the show will be a mere 10 minutes from the new place! How good is that? For those who might have spouses in tow there is another battleground just over the A66, namely Teesside Park Shopping Centre.
Louis XIV halted by the opening of the sluice gates.
As my reader(s) might have gathered I’ve been madly painting the last of my 1672 French/Dutch War figures to get them ready for Battleground. In one of my increasingly frequent descents into insanity (do I ever climb back up some may ask?) and prompted by my good friend John the Red I offered to put a game on.  I had wrongly assumed that, as has been the case in the past, that I had a place with the Independent Wargames Group display game. Thats all water under the bridge now and this minor hiatus has had a very positive effect psychologically on me and built up my confidence significantly. I mean, apart from last year's Battleground and the private AMG weekends I've not put a display game on at a show since the early 1990's if not the late '80's. How on Earth was I going to be able to set up and run a game given my crappy health? However, a few emails and phone calls and I had recruited several friends and acquaintances to take part in the game. I could have doubled the numbers of eager volunteers were it not for domestic/work commitments or the distance. I am very much endebted to all the guys who will be there with me on Saturday as without their support I doubt I would have been motivated enough to get everything ready for the game. The same also goes for by beloved wife who has been 100% behind me, helping out with the production of handouts and other promotional material that goes with putting a demonstration game on.

Contemporary sketch of the battle.

The game itself is based on the Battle of Seneffe, south of Brussels, which took place in August 1674 between. French army under Louis de Bourbon, “The Great Conde”, and an army commanded by William III of Orange, the Stadtholder of the United Provinces, made up of Dutch, Spanish and Imperial troops, the latter mainly from such smaller states as Hanover, Brunswick and Celle.

I've taken some liberties with the orders of battle. Information is scarce but I do have the Dutch and French orbats but nothing for the Spanish or Imperial troops. Nevertheless the tabletop armies look the part and there are certainly plenty of troops destined to hit the table.

The Conde is unhorsed but saved by his son the Duc d'Engein
 So, roll on Saturday, but not too quickly as I need to finish sorting the terrain out and a few other odd jobs, ah yes, and try and finish another unit or two!

Do drop by and say hello on Saturday. You won't miss us as we're right by the door. Again, my heartfelt thanks to my 'army' of volunteers who will be helping play the game.






12 comments:

  1. Good luck for the show and look forward to hearing how it went and seeing pics of the game.

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  2. Looking forward to Saturday. My son will be coming as well if that's alright.

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    1. Ã…bsolutely not a problem Paul. See you there.

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  3. Sadly can’t make the trip, a combination of health issues and distance really. Missed Warfare yesterday too! Post many pictures please tonrally the sicknand ailing!

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    1. That’s ‘to rally the sick and ailing’ of course!

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  4. Wishing I was there Colin. I hope you have the best of best days!

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  5. Best of luck Colin - you know that I sympathise , empathise in equal measure - I’m sure that the buzz you get will sustain you through the winter
    Ian

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