Wurzel (look out Hicksy, there's a new kid in town)

My first attempt at sculpting - a scarecrow.

Messrs Hicks, Perry, Meier and all aren't going to lose any sleep over this, but I'm rather happy with the result. Apart from the head (a football from a Great War minis character) and the bird (a pigeon from a Great War minis pigeon handler) the rest is Milliput, adorned with bits of wire, string and stuck-together bristles.

I wanted to get this ready to use as scenery for the imminent Big Game, and have painted it up with a mock BUF armband.

News from the front!

With the Herefordshire Big Game less than a month away, it's time for some local news...

In space, no one can hear you cobble bits of rubbish together.

Last year, my gaming buddy Giles very kindly gave me lots of stuff to improve the bases for my VBCW miniatures, so I decided to repay this generosity.

Now Giles is a big fan of the old Lazerburn rules, which he plays at 15mm. A quick rummage through the bins at work, some glue and some paint later, and I knocked up these pieces of scenery / objective markers!

The VBCW 2013 Grand Tour comes to Herefordshire!

Last call for the Herefordshire Big Game - the Second Battle of Ledbury!

The date has been confirmed as Saturday 16th February, start time TBA, but approx 10am.
Same location as last year:- https://beta.herefordshire.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/community-halls/burley-gate-village-hall/ half way between Hereford and Bromyard next to the A417/A465 junction.

Will the forces of government finally evict the Anglican League and their allies from Ledbury? Will the brave defenders withstand the fascist onslaught? And just who is the mysterious stranger reported to be wandering the battlefield...?

Can all interested parties contact me to confirm attendance and which faction you wish to play.

A belated Happy New Year!

So when is the cut-off point that you're supposed to stop wishing people a happy new year?

Not much of a post this, but there's nothing worse than having a 'Happy Christmas' post as the first thing that shows up on your blog, several weeks after the event!

So what are my plans for 2013?

Dunno...

Oh, okay - I suppose I'll be continuing my VBCW stuff, and hopefully doing a bit of local history research too.
I have made up a list of the various factions I am building up (Blacksi(o)rts, Anglican League, Commies, locals, Welsh etc.) and there are quite a few gaps to fill in - mainly support weapons, armour and vehicles, so expect to see less in the way of infantry. I've also taken steps to provide them with some extra transport too...

Real-life is insanely really busy at the moment, so I haven't got much painting time, although I have made a few purchases recently which will eventually see their way onto this blog.

Speaking of purchases - I have made a Scrooge-like new year's resolution to only buy second-hand stuff, or stuff in the sales. Let's see how long it takes before I start forking out cash for something brand spanking new!

Over the festive season I've done a tiny bit of scratchbuilding (15mm tiny to be precise) for my gaming buddy Giles' Laserburn collection, as a sort of Xmas/New Year pressie in thanks for his generosity and advice regarding basing materials. But I don't want to spoil the surprise, so watch this space!

Ah well, 2013 is here - on with the motley!

Merry Christmas!

I would like to wish all the loyal followers of this blog (as well as casual readers and people who have stumbled upon this whilst Googling for something completely unrelated) a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

P.S. Why not get your wargaming off to a good start next year and join us in our planned Hereford Big Game in February!?

Geifr y Mynydd

Presenting, with apologies for the poor camera phone pics, Geifr y Mynydd ('The Mountain Goats' - thanks to Worldwarshed for the proper translation - thanks for nothing Google Translate!) - a new unit for my Welsh Nationalists.

Formed from volunteer mountain climbers, hikers and local hill-folk, Geifr y Mynydd are largely responsible for patrolling the hills and mountains that separate the salients of Kington and Monmouth with the Nationalist heartland of North Wales.

From escorting supply trains along rugged back roads and maintaining a Nationalist presence among isolated hill communities to launching raids across the border and ambushing punitive expeditions, Geifr y Mynydd are some of the toughest allies that the Anglican League can call upon. They are armed with a mixture of rifles and carbines, with a Tommy Gun and Lewis Gun for extra support.

I've harboured vague ideas about a unit of Welsh hill fighters for a while, but two paratroopers that had been thrown in free with an order from Wargames Foundry provided the catalyst. Using up the remainder of my lead pile and a generous donation of some Black Tree commandos from fellow VBCW fan 'Wilfie Smith' provided the rest of the unit.

Some head/weapon swaps and a little Milliput and there you have it! Note that I've experimented with this unit a little, using Coat d'Armes shade instead of Army Painter Quickshade - not sure if I'm happy with the results or not...