Tabletop Gaming - Live. Or, How We Had A Good Time And Didn't Take Our Clothes Off In Doncaster

 Yesterday morning at 8:15 AM we set off for the Badlands (according to some, who have absolutely no idea of the wargaming history of Doncaster, probably because they are relative newcomers - wW must forgive and pity them) and 28 minutes later after a bright and sunny trip up the M1/M18 we pulled up at Doncaster Racecourse, parking 20 feet from the doors where a healthy queue for the debut of the new calendar fixture 'Tabletop Gaming - Live' staged by Warner Group Publications, who also run the highly successful BMRS model railway show at the same venue.

It's a great venue to be in.

It's BIG... It swallows crowds and I cannot stress that enough. The floorspace taken by just the 'bring and play' area was as large as most 'cattleshed' conventions, and was busy all day up to the point where we left, having spent longer there than  atany Wargames show since 2022.

True, it was geared towards more boardgames and RPGs, but it was lively and friendly... Now, I am not a social animal atshows, with regards to strangers - it's just how I am, but I can honestly say (and I have a lot of experience with gamers of all stripes, both in the hobby and from years of running a bricks and mortar store - whod've thought? ) the historical wargamers are a more insular bunch. I count myself in the number.

Anyway, we were through the door by 9:02 and there, right at the front were Chaosium, with whom I had a good chat about the wonderful games they have produced over the years, bagging a very nice 50th anniversary pin for my convention bag - Thanks chaps!

 

The Runequest and Pendragon starter sets (Cthulhu too) were being offered at prices which were simply too good to ignore, and I promised that after sustenance was taken, I'd be back.

And, this in mind we headed up the escalatiores to the foodcourt, where we bagged a decent breakfast of hot, fresh sandwiches and decent tea and coffee for about a fiver per head.

Now, let me be clear, I don't generally 'do' cooked breakfasts anymore. I normally have plain yoghurt, fresh fruit, Ryvitas with either peanut butter or hummus and a few mugs of tea. Every day, like clockwork, so I am not addicted to fried flesh anymore. But, when in Rome (well, Danum)...

The sandwiches were £3 each (those in the controversy loop will know £3 has been a hot buuton topic in the last 7 days)  and had respectively, 3 full sausages or rashers of bacon in crusty topped, soft rolls, with the option to add fillings at £1 a time. 

And they were  pretty damned good. Not greasy, but equally not emaciated. Just add sauce to taste. My only gripe is they don't have a 'buttered' option for those weirdoes who like that kind of perversity on a breakfast sandwich (the Mamsahib, for example).

 Sustained and fuelled, it was time to browse wgat was available. The only 'serious' (I say this with tongue firmly in cheek) company there were Warlord, who honestly, looked a little out of their comfort zone and not that busy to be honest. 

Mantic Games were there and there seemed to be a buzz around the stand.

Smiles abounded... I mean it. There was a genuine happy vibe to the whole shebang.

Perhaps this could be because the split between male and female gamers was about even? Let me tell you, women add to this hobby. Not as arm candy you understand, but as equal partners in tcrime. In fact, having spotted a group of 4 ladies apparently unchaperoned (I know, fellow historical wargamers, what an absolute outrage) I excused myself from the comany of the Memsahib (who as many know, is a gamer in her own right, continuing to go to SWS on her own long after I quit that fight) respectfully and carefully introduved myself and explained that I'd like to get a few opinions from them, which, they graciously agreed to, inviting me to sit with them and have a chat.

It was enlightening. They had travelled a reasonable distance to get to the show and indeed were there as gamers in their own right, being around my own age, which let's be honest is a pretty anmazing demographic on it's own.

I asked them why they thought there are not many woman at historical shows, certainly not on their own, and it was made icily (but not in a hostile way) that they were tired of the 'OK, boys...' approach they witnessed at historical shows and on YouTube etc.

That's straight from source - there you go. These were educated, professional women, who were active gamers, and were telling it like it was for them.

We chatted for a while about the 80s and how rolpeplaying in particular had become more accepted and less 'underground' and I could have spent a lot longer in their company, but of course I was the interloper and thus it would have been churlish to take up too much of their gaming day.

So, read between the lines and you can pretty much see how 'we' are viewed. The Memsahib comes from a small, hard 'steel town' so she is used to men being ignorant /lecherous bastards (hell, she married me...) so she is 'proofed' against the less savoury aspects of the hobby as anyone who has demeaned her at a show (and boy have a couple of 'names' tried that, in the past) has discovered.

I think this is also why we have less kids at historical shows. TTGL was crawling with kids, all engaged with by traders and exhibitors alike. Remember, the tickets are not cheap, but family groups were in there and having a great time.

It reminded me of UK Gencon in the 90s, but better.

Draw your own conclusions, however snarky, from this, but let me tell you, organisers of wargames shows have to do a lot of work. And, it's not about waving flags and claiming to be X or Y friendly. It's about quietly making sure there's stuff for everyone, without trumpets  or banners. I have seen it in action this weekend, and it works. There were people of all ages, but honestly apart from a few 'trade faces' skulking about, presumably on a recce for future trade stands (not sure I'd upset the balance by letting them in - but that's a knee jerk response)  , these are a whole crowd I don't recognise, and a crowd that was spending money, people.

Talking of spending, it was a day where I filled the boot of the Volvo with gaming goodness, and was anazed on getting home and doing my post show accounts to see I'd only spent £205.

Here is the final haul - apart from a few things I cannot show as they are presents for others and therefore 'secret':

 An amazing haul, from just one show.

And then it was a short drive home. After 5and a half hours, the still frail Memsahib was tired and we needed to rest ahead of an evening at Sheffield's Unitarian Upper Chapel where we had tickets for an evening of percussive entertainment:

 A long day, but a really good one.

 

Will we be back to TTGL? Certainly.

This is the 'base camp' for this show, and having been to the venue many times for fdifferent events, it's a wise choice.

It wa great to get out of the 'rut' that my traditional show trips have become and to see that under the peeling paint of traditional wargaming, there's good solid wood.

 

TTFN