Good but not great?

Today I attended my first wargames show since my last, just before Covid.

Britcon has moved from its previous home in Manchester to Nottingham. Oddly for what is often referred to as "the lead belt", the city itself has lacked a major show.

A few years ago there was an attempt to remedy this with the "Robin" show but after only two years, it seems to have become another victim of Covid. TBH, it needed to attract more trade and games as it was a bit lacking in atmosphere, not helped by a fairly empty venue for the amount of trade and games.

Newark is well served by Hammerhead and the two Partizan shows which may explain why little effort has been given to organising a show in Nottingham; it's especially odd since the demise of the Derby Worlds which reinvigorated itself when held at Derby University, only to decline and die when moved to more distant venues.

So Britcon held the promise of a two day show in the city itself. The venue is excellent; Nottingham University in one of the city centre buildings, a bright airy venue with plenty of space, reminiscent indeed of Derby Worlds. Well attended, yet not crowded. So why good and not great?

It's clear Britcon is primarily a competition show; various tournaments were being played and were clearly well attended. Sadly wargames competitions are not really a spectator sport.......

Not that you could see most of the games from the way they were packed together....

The trade stands had a few bigger names and some of the usual suspects, but......

There were probably too many 3d printed companies, all of which were somewhat "niche". A couple of traders had pulled out at the last minute, but obviously didn't have replacements. There was a bring & buy, although few "bargains" with some armies looking as if they had been painted especially for the event. At least it was cool and free from the usual rugby scrum.

The few non-competition games were mostly participation, in some cases linked to a manufacturer. No real "spectacles" .

The real problem was it didn't take that long to walk around and that was it really. I met a friend; aside from him I didn't really speak to anyone. We both bought a second hand book each, and that was the total purchases!

While we both agreed we have reached the age where we don't really need to add to our lead and plastic mountains, and are starting to become concerned about getting rid of what we don't use so as not to burden our partners and offspring with our junk when we're gone, there was little TBH to tempt us with an impulse purchase.

So what was good / positive? Well it's always nice to be able to look at things "in the flesh"; to be able to flick through a rulebook or book; to see the heft and detail on a figure range. I was tempted by some Perry AWI as these are on my "to do" list, but I realised I would have been buying just for the sake of it, not necessity.

The downside is of course you then buy after the show, somewhere else where it's cheaper (or in the case of one well thumbed rulebook, both cheaper and in better condition).

It was good to catch up with a mate; after those couple of positives, not much else inspired me. Perhaps I've changed but I used to get a real buzz out of shows, or perhaps shows have changed? Maybe Covid changed things dramatically; why bother dragging your wares to a show when you can sell more via the internet? And don't have to fork out for a trade stand to boot.

I hope Britcon continues in Nottingham and goes from strength to strength; it's nice to have a show with good public transport links on your doorstep (unlike the Newark shows) I'll certainly go again.