Following a week of blistering temperatures, Sunday 21st July dawned slighly overcast, although for some attendees that may purely have been the after effects of the semi-legendary Baccus Beer and Curry session the previous night. However, by 8.30 the front doors of the Workstation were flung open and rolled up and the place became a hive of activity as traders and wargamers began carrying boxes and bits of scenery to their respective tables and began the usual race against time to get set up before the public made their entrance.
Here's a snapshot of what went on during the day...
Visitors were immediately presented with the epic span of Steve Thomas's ECW spectacular. This is a massive ECW battle played at 1:1 scale. There were 22,000 figures on the table itself was thirty two feet in length! This shot was taken from the atrium as it was the only way we could get a good view of the game in one shot. Even then we still only feature half of the table...
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MAD gamers presented their outstanding Isandhlwana participation extravaganza, using the superb terrain supplied by Dan Hodgson.
And providing a complete change of pace and period, Leeds Wargames Society staged a 1980s Fulda Gap game:
Continuing the Russian them, Derek Pitman was kept busy replaying the Retreat from Moscow with the Baccus 1812 Quick Steppe, game:
There were three Polemos games staged on the day, all of which offered commands to interested parties. Firstly, Chris Grice and friends staged a Blenheim scenario using his WSS rules:
Meanwhile Nick Dorrel was simultaneously hosting a Seven Years War game (sorry no picture of this one) and helping the irrepressible Per Broden with his wonderful recreaction of the Battle of Klissow from the GNW:
Total Battle Miniatures presented the battle of Vimiero. As with the Klissow game, this was a perfect example of how 6mm games can excel with a thoughtful combination of scenery and presentation. In both cases, the setting for the games were works of art in themselves, but added to the experience of the whole, without dominating the presentation.
On a more practical wargaming level, Wargames Emporium were highlighting the crossover potential between figure and board gaming by presenting three games all using the Command and Colours system.
And on an even smaller scale, Wakefield and District Games presented the smallest game of the event, a WW2 game on a board just two feet across...
Thanks to Nick Johnson for the photos.
In addition to all of this lot, Dr Mike Salway presented his ever popular painting clinic and alongside with Aardvark painting service offered practical hands-on tips and techniques for painting 6mm figures.
There were two Q&A sessions staged during the day. The first saw Peter and The Igor (aka 'Team Baccus') face a pack of interested parties who presented the dynamic duo with a barrage of wide ranging questions about just how a toy soldier company functions. This was great fun for all concerned, although I don't know if anyone who was there left the room knowing anything more than when they first entered. The second saw Chris Grice, Nick Dorrell and Peter Berry faced by a stern panel of Polemos gamers all eager to gain nuggets of hidden knowledge. Again an enjoyable and friendly session which threatened to over-run the time available to it.
The day was rounded off with a raffle draw in support of the Royal British Legion, with the prizes generously donated by the traders in attendance.
Both Baccus and Wargames Emporium would like to thank the following, without whom the JOS would not have been possible:
For the Games:
- MAD gamers
- Dan Hodgson
- Steven Thomas and members of Sheffield Wargames Society
- Wakefield and District Wargamers
- Per Broden
- Nick Dorrell
- Chris Grice
- Leeds Wargames Society
The Traders:
- Timecast
- Total Battle Miniatures
- Rapier Miniatures
- Heroics & Ros
Painting Clinics:
- Dr Mike
- Aardvark
And for making sure things went well on that day:
- Lindy
- Ash
- Rob
- Nick
- The staff at the Workstation
All in all, the day was a great success, although we'd have to admit to wanting to see a few more warm bodies through the door. All the games were played, the painting clinics kept busy and the seminars well attended. The traders reported a healthy day and everyone seemed to depart with a smile on their face. Plans are already being made for the 2014 show, and if you didn't make it to this one, then, the Joy of Six 2014 will take place on Sunday 20th July. Get it in your diary now!