WMMS 2008 Show Report

This years Show was held on Sunday 9th March. After several years of poor to indifferent weather show day turned out to be bright and dry for a change.

This year saw 29 display and participation games, a record for the event. As usual picking the top three proved difficult, and went to a split decision with the judges.

First, by the narrowest of margins were Shrewsbury Wargames Society for their splendid Seven Years War game.

Second were Lance & Longbow for their impressive Battle of Lincoln.

Third were The Glory Boys for their well presented Romano-British & Saxons game.

Overall the quality of games was very high with 7 or 8 games very close to being placed in the best display category.

Best Painted Army went to Stafford Wargames Club.

Best Wargames Terrain went to Border Warlords.

Most Popular Participation Game went to The Guards for their Star Wars: Battle Of Hoth skirmish, which kept their game master very busy throughout the day.

Best Historical Display was very close between John Vaughan for his WWII vehicle and arms display, and the 80th Reg’t of Foot (Staffordshire Volunteers), with their interesting Victorian army display. Both were very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about their subject, but John’s vehicle display just proved the more popular.

Best Military Modelling Display went to British Flat Figure Society for their fine display of miniature flat figures.

As with last years show there were a lot of families and new faces. Attendance was markedly up on the previous year with 735 paying visitors through the door. If you add on various concessions, and our captive audience of gamers and modellers, total attendance was 900+.

Trade wise there had been quite a turnaround from last year. Ten new, or returning, traders making up for several regulars who were missing this year for various personal/business reasons, but should be back next year. Trade was very brisk in the morning, and the afternoon remained busier than in recent years, but as with many shows recently the event began to wind down after 3:00pm.

We gave ourselves a five year period to re-establish ourselves at Aldersley and 2009 will be our fifth show. On the whole this years show was a success, we have now built up a strong base from the public and local wargamers, but probably still need to convince a few more traders that the show is worth supporting to maintain our momentum. So we are back to the old ‘use it or loose it’ scenario. So I hope you will come along to next years show on Sunday 8th March 2009, and don’t forget your wallet!!