Well, I'm now back in 'Glorious' Bradford; and once again find myself hunting for a wargame club to help pass the time. Harrogate sadly proved to be just too far away from my new, five star executive rabbit hutch of an apartment; on the opposite side of town. It's a shame as I really liked the atmosphere at their club but a one hour drive each way is unacceptable for me.
So the next option was Leeds; my old haunt being first stop. Now this highlighted a regular problem with the club, there were three games going on, but none appealed (Gulf war insurgency game, DBA Doubles and some old GW boardgame). Secondly it was hard to arrange anything I would like; I find the players can be a little indifferent to the idea of actually playing a game, with figures, to a conclusion. I don't mean to sound critical, but after the six months I've been away, and knowing I may well go again at the drop of a hat; when I'm in Britain now I want to be actually gaming, not just talking about games, or the rugby or Indiana Jones or...
With that in mind I took a chance on yet another Leeds club, just up the road from my old one; who I hasten to add I will still be a regular (if less frequent) visitor to. This one being the Leeds Nightowls; an ostensibly fantasy gaming community, with a growing slice of historical gamers.
Remarkably, I was able to arrange a game on my first visit; thanks to the club's natty web forum. My game was a Historical WW2 match up using Westwind's Secrets of the Third Reich rules (more on these in a later post, when I can get photo's up). And an enjoyable experience it was too. Enough that I arranged a second game for their Sunday session. Where I was able to get a decent little chat with some of the clubs historical gamers too.
Two of the best points in favour of the place are that it is busy (both sessions had at least six games going on and a good twenty or more in attendance); and has a 'You bring it and we'll play it' attitude to games.
Still, at a thirty five minute drive each way, it's still not ideal; though certainly pretty good. My last option is the Halifax club, the Pennine Raiders. Now I don't know anything about these guys, except that their big on Fantasy gaming and about fifteen minutes from my door. The problem is they clash with the other club nights. So; do you go with what you know, and endure the cost and stress of the longer drives? Or try somewhere new?...
Choices, choices; as they say.
In other news; The internet is still very much an unknown land at home, so no photo's as yet; by the time I get to those there'll be lots to post that I'm sure of. So please, stick around!
Black Seas: Pirates of 1812
4 hours ago
Posts
It's strange that Bradford doesn't have a club.
ReplyDeleteIt had a roleplaying club, who were very into Magic: The Gathering as well. I went along twice, and to be honest it was not a good environment for wargames. The place it was in is up for sale now so I imagine it's gone.
ReplyDeleteIf I was staying in the area I might be tempted to get something going myself, but I'm not so that'd not work.
Bradford suffers in this respect (as it does for shopping and socialising), in that every town and city around it is better served, and within an easy drive or even bus journey (you have clubs in Leeds - 3 that I know of, Halifax, Harrogate (2), Huddersfield and Ilkley).
Shame really, it'd be nice to have somewhere to go and play.
ReplyDeleteThe trouble is that I am waracking my brains to think of somewhere that might be a good venue, and the only place I can think of is the IDL.