"SELWG 2012" Topic

I went to SELWG at Crystal Palace yesterday. Very good show as usual. Plenty of shiny bits for sale, especially 28mm plastics. They were everywhere!

A couple of regular traders on the show circuit were missing though. 6mm was notable by its absence – no Baccus or Adler or Rapier or H&R – although we can probably let Baccus off as he has recently given birth!

What did others think of the show this year?

I saw 6mm GHQ.

We set off at 9 and arrived just after 10 so good journey in -although going home took 2 hours, thats London traffic.

I enjoyed the show picked up a great bargain on the bring and buy some lovely French and Indian Wars figures; and some cheap quality terrain.

Otherwise some great demo games, the Carlist War game stands out. There were some good others good. I didnt take too much a look at the participastion games the Zombie game did look well attended. I fancy captain scarlet but my friends didn't so gave it a pass.

I spent more than I should have, less than I wanted on 28mm Napoleonics, some great bargains. No just have to paint them. I loved the Eagle Miniatures Spanish and will probably get them next time I see them, great figures and a very good match for my plastics.

I bought some books, and my friends bought French and India wars figures for Muskets and Tomahawks.

Attendence wise seemed to be down on previous years both in terms of visitors and traders. Shame

One thing I couldn't find were Plastic Warlord Prussian Landwehr.

I like the venue, although driving in its difficult to get away from for me atleast.

I thought the event was a little subdued from previous shows. That didn't bother me on one level as I was able to get around just fine and see everything that I wanted, when I wanted. I do wonder whether a pattern is developing and I worry about the future for the wargame producers, stockists and contributors. Oh, this wretched economy!!

However, I manfully did my bit and overspent and those that were gaming were doing some wonderful games.

I would go again.

Thanks,

Capt D'Ewell

A great day out , but agreed the show seemed to be very audience light .

Arrived about 12:30 after a very quick drive in from Essex via a pickup in Lewisham. It's always a bit odd to see the swimmers on one side of the sports centre and the wargamers, in all shpes, sizes, levels of beardieness and levels of odour, on the other side.

Some nice games on show. Liked the look of the terrain and figures on the two dark ages games and the micro Pegasus Bridge (my spellcheker wants to turn Pegasus to Sugar-Peas) was very nice.

Said Hi to Robin on the Gruntz game, but he was clearly flagging by then – I suspect a case of Deadly Man Flu lurking. I have taken appropriate decontamination measures – plenty of beer.

Bought some of the new pre-painted, laser cut 15mm building from 4Ground that seemed to be everywhere for my 15mm Bolt Action project. Very nice. Also picked up a 15mm US para platoon and 3 x M8 armoured cars for a song from a bargain bin, and some BAR's from Peter Pig. Finally rounded out my 10mm fantasy armies project with some HQ packs, cavalry, berserkers and trolls from Kallistra, taking advantage of the 6 for the price of 5 deal.

Star Wars spaceship game seemed to be everywhere, but at £10.00 GBP-12 per ship it's too rich for my tastes. I suspect FFG will make a mint on it, though.

A nice show again, but smaller attendance and a smaller number of stands/games than last year, which was again smaller than the year before I felt. Maybe a reflection of the economic outlook, or maybe the hobby is undergoing a shrinkage phase. Time will tell.

I'd generally agree with Goober – it did seem subdued compared to last year. A small reduction in traders, fewer games (but not by many, and the overall standard* of those there was higher than last year) and a drop in the number of punters.

*terrain, figures, information and willingness to chat.

The games seemed to be much more varied than last year, with only one ACW game this time.

I think the reduced attendance is probably down to the general lack of publicity for this year's show.

A nice show again, but smaller attendance and a smaller number of stands/games than last year, which was again smaller than the year before I felt. Maybe a reflection of the economic outlook, or maybe the hobby is undergoing a shrinkage phase.

From a trader's perspective, SELWG attracts the same faces as Colours and Warfare, and therefore seems to spread two shows' spend over three shows. It has become the uneconomic filling in a southern show sandwich.

Coupled with the dreadful loading/unloading at Crystal Palace, plus a horrible drive through south London, for some of us it has made sense to focus on Colours and Warfare in the south. Fighting 15s now heads "north" for October (yes, I know almost everywhere is north for us…)

Ian

It was my first time at Selwg and only my second show of the year. Got to admit that this show was missing something – traveled with a friend and he said that there was no 'wow' factor.

I think next year we'd probably stick to going to either Colours or Warfare.

I walked to SELWG as is my usual practice – it is about 4.5 miles and took just over an hour. That's about par for the course; foot traffic on Streatham Common was light.

The show itself had the usual queue at 10am but by 11am inside seemed "empty". Interestingly, I saw far fewer of the usual familiar local faces in the crowd.

There were fewer traders than two years ago when I last attended; for example, I noticed Gripping Beast was missing and no one had Hovels (something I wanted). In fact there was a real lack of 20mm wargaming buildings, even in plastic kits.

Lots of retailers (rather than manufacturers selling their own Wares) selling very similar stuff, which surely must become an issue for them. Their stock was the same sets of plastics in particular.

I spent most of my money with Confrontation: their set of monks and nuns had to be bought.

I loved with Pegasus Bridge 6mm game (scenery and look), the Reconquista battle in 28mm (quality of the figure painting) and the Germania Romans game (terrain and painting) in particular.

I had to leave by 12:30 as we were blessed by a visit from No. 1 daughter down from Edinburgh Uni on a fund raising expedition.

From a trader's perspective, SELWG attracts the same faces as Colours and Warfare, and therefore seems to spread two shows' spend over three shows. It has become the uneconomic filling in a southern show sandwich.

Coupled with the dreadful loading/unloading at Crystal Palace, plus a horrible drive through south London, for some of us it has made sense to focus on Colours and Warfare in the south. Fighting 15s now heads "north" for October (yes, I know almost everywhere is north for us…)

Warfare and Colours are both 200 mile round trips for me. I've always thought that the good wargamers of Berkshire are very lucky to have two big shows within 30 miles of each other and within 2 months of each other. My next semi-affordable show will be Salute in April.

G.

From a trader's perspective, SELWG attracts the same faces as Colours and Warfare, and therefore seems to spread two shows' spend over three shows. It has become the uneconomic filling in a southern show sandwich.

Ian, you're making good use of your days as an editor with this almost poetic contribution…

Coupled with the dreadful loading/unloading at Crystal Palace,

To be fair to the organisers, the system they introduced last year has vastly improved the end-of-day loading and departing situation. Couple this with a Saturday set-up which I did this year and last, and that part of the SELWG experience is now as good as most, and better than many, shows. At least there is an organised departure system whereas with most shows, the organisers will help you unload at the beginning but are distinctly absent at the end.

…plus a horrible drive through south London…

Can't argue with you there, Ian – it's dreadful isn't it – 1 hour+ to do 12 miles….!

Doug

Warfare and Colours are both 200 mile round trips for me. I've always thought that the good wargamers of Berkshire are very lucky to have two big shows within 30 miles of each other and within 2 months of each other. My next semi-affordable show will be Salute in April.

If you're arguing that a show has to be pretty worthwhile doing if it involves a 200 mile round trip, I can only agree. :-)

I spread the love across the south, with Valhalla, Salute, Cavalier and Legion. All have virtues that SELWG doesn't.

If you're wondering how I justify small shows such as Valhalla and Legion but not the larger SELWG, Valhalla is done on the return trip from Phalanx and allows me to hit two areas of the country on one trip. Legion is 10 miles away from my mum, allowing me to be a good son by paying an extended visit and, this year, enabling 6milPhil to pump me full of Gadd's beer the day beforehand.

I thought it was a good show. A good selection of games. Nothing spoke to me as being bad. The only thing I noticed was that Wayland Games didn't make it, because of problems with their truck, which left a gap in the main hall.

Yes, trade is down, but the traders I spoke to were happy enough, and put it down to the economic climate. I for one had less to spend this year.

Anyway, I played in the Gruntz demo, report here:

link

So for me and my friends another good show. One of the secret gems of London gaming.

I spent the day at the show. I won't comment on the venue or the drive around south London as I don't like either (The sports center management should however check their staff set an appropriate example by washing their hands after visiting the toilet. The two who used the facilities while I was washing my hands did not bother. I did not buy anything from the restaurant as a result).

Anyway, there were some nice demo games – good terrain, nice figures etc. The 6mm Pegasus bridge terrain was great, and the Aspern-Essling game was as crammed full of figures as you would expect. The models and terrain for the 25mm Roman v Early Germans skirmish game were excellent. The standards of figure painting and basing are so far ahead of what was typical when I started wargaming that I don't see how they can get much better. I guess that there will always be someone who goes a bit further and raises the bar a bit further which is no bad thing.

The 1859 game (San Georgiano?) had some nicely painted 10mm figures but the scenery was dire. You would never have known it was meant to be set in northern Italy as the pine tree woods and northern European buildings did not give the observer any clues. It certainly did not look like the Italian countryside I saw on holiday in Italy. Should try harder.

My biggest gripe however was the two extremely overweight ACW re-enactors, waddling around in uniforms stretched to bursting point. In addition to the size problem they both had inappropriate hair styles (ie shaved heads). Come on, if you are supposed to be representing your hobby (and presumably trying to attract new recruits) at least have a bit of personal pride and put some bloody effort into it.

Malibu Max

If you're arguing that a show has to be pretty worthwhile doing if it involves a 200 mile round trip, I can only agree. :-)

I spread the love across the south, with Valhalla, Salute, Cavalier and Legion. All have virtues that SELWG doesn't.

With the price of unleaded today, a 200 mile round trip would mean I'd leave the show with my bags un-leaded* as well (take my wife – please! Thank you, I'm here all week, try the shrimp)

It's a shame that SELWG isn't seen as worth it, I guess I was really saying that if I wonder if you do see all the same faces at Colours and Warfare as at SELWG, as you wouldn't see mine or any of the guys I game with at either. That said, I dare say you have a better grasp of your customers than I.

*(well, un-resin, plastic and white metal rather than lead, but you get my drift)

Adler couldnt make it this year due to family commitments Im afraid.
L

I liked the show, although the crowd I went with see it as a shopping trip instead of participating in games or checking out the demo games for ideas. SELWG 2012 had just enough to make it a good day out, although I must confess I don't see the point of too many demo games if you want to attract people and boost your club: Lots of pretty games manned by uncommunicative gamers doesn't add to the show or the hobby so hats off to the Crooked Dice/7TV team for being so upbeat, positive and ready to have a friendly chat to anyone.