CREATIVE, imaginative and eminently sociable, war gaming is among the fastest growing hobbies – attracting players of all ages and backgrounds to escape into its myriad realms.
Whether immersing themselves in historic Second World War battles, clashes between Vikings and Saxons, getting cosmic in the Star Wars galaxy, or escaping to the fantasy lands of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, devotees can step away from the pressures and distractions of everyday life by creating beautiful models and bonding over the simple pleasures of serious competitive fun in alternative worlds artistically rendered in miniature form.
Hundreds of wargaming enthusiasts gathered last Sunday to play, trade and just hang out at Oxfordshire’s biggest celebration of the pastime – Overlord.
The show, organised by Abingdon Wargames Club (AWC), saw the town’s Abingdon and Witney College transformed into a captivating marketplace where devotees stocked up on the diminutive protagonists and accessories of their particular universe.
Tudor knights jostled for space with space marines, British infantrymen, orcs, historic ships and futuristic spacecraft.
Kitchen table artists stocked up on paints and fine brushes, admired each other’s work... and skirmished.
AWC has been bringing wargames fans together for weekly meetings for 30 years, while its Overlord show has been running for more than two decades. However, Sunday’s extravaganza was the first since the pandemic making it particularly eagerly received.
Russell Hopkinson is chairman of the club, which boasts up to 40 members aged 20-70, including a retired lieutenant colonel – who ought to know a thing or two about strategy.
Mr Hopkinson said: “Thirty years ago this was a niche and cliquey pastime but now it’s so accessible. There are two parts to the hobby: making and painting the models – and playing.”
And the hobby was one of the few pursuits to thrive during lockdown, with new devotees enjoying the artistic challenge of painting pieces and making new friends through playing – albeit over Zoom.
“We couldn’t go anywhere, so it kept us sane,” laughs Mr Hopkinson. “Lots of people picked up the hobby and we doubled or tripled our membership.
“You can learn about history through recreating battles, use tactics, imagination and just enjoy the escapism."
Show organiser Steve Evans has been wargaming for 50 years. “It’s very sociable,” he says. “It’s not just about standing around a table throwing dice. Some play, others create or collect – and it’s all about using your imagination.”
- For more details on AWC go to abingdonwargames.net
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