Wargames blog, covering many shiny things but at the mo its mostly a 1940 Desert Campaign, 28 mm Crusades and 28mm Italian Wars. Now with its own You Tube Channel - Yarkshire TV, find us on the Twitters and Insta @yarkshiregamer
Wednesday, 16 July 2025
World Cup of Wargaming Pet Hates - Semi Finals
Monday, 14 July 2025
Yarkshire Gamer Podcast 73 - Paul Thompson - German Boots on British Soil in 1943
Hi Everyone,
Welcome back and today in episode 73 we return to the fascinating events surrounding a potential German Raid on the radar station at St Lawrence on the Isle of Wight in August 1943.
The episode is available on all major Podcast hosts or via the link below
https://kenrtai.podbean.com/e/episode-73-paul-thompson-german-boots-on-british-soil-1943/
My guest Paul Thompson has spent a lot of time and effort supported by others to greatly further the investigation into the "rumour" on the Island of a raid to a point where the evidence is really looking like there was one.
We have spoke to Paul a couple of times (Episode 43 and 63) about this event, but we've tried to make this a stand alone episode with an introduction before we get into the meat and gravy. By all means go back and listen to the other episodes if you fancy a deep dive.
I wont spoil it but there are some pretty juicy reveals in the Episode and I honestly think we have gone from it being hard to prove the Germans were on the Island in 1943, I think we are at a point now where its hard to prove they weren't. Listen and decide for yourself.
With the shorter episode length I've taken the opportunity to cover the recent Partizan show and also the new World Cup of Wargaming Pet Hates, the preliminary round is open for voting until 2nd June via the link below
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1394761557711606/permalink/2097032530817835/
Next episode will be the Summer Brews in the Binyard, if you have any questions for the panel of me, Alex and Iain please send them to yarkshiregamer@gmail.com
Until next time Sithee
Regards Ken
The Yarkshire Gamer
As always here's the last version of the Podcast on the Utubes
Monday, 7 July 2025
Quarter Finals - World Cup of Wargaming Pet Hates
Quarter Finals underway today and vote one sees Rules with no index take on those pesky cheats
Results below
Saturday, 5 July 2025
Yarkshire Gamer Podcast 72 - Ray and Lee of the Posties deliver on Salute
Welcome to the Show and today I have a couple of guests on the show who I have known for a few years via the Analogue Hobbies Winter Paint Challenge (see Episode 18 for more).
You can get the episode on any major Podcast Host or via the link below
https://kenrtai.podbean.com/e/episode-72-ray-and-lee-of-the-posties-deliver-on-salute/
Ray Rousell and Big Lee Hadley have been around the hobby for many years, both running successful wargaming blogs, with Lee branching off into the world of the Utubes in recent years, having his popular question of the week videos every Sunday.
As usual we start with a bit of an introduction and general game chat before using the second part of the show to discuss the Posties Rejects group that both Ray and Lee belong to.
After the usual mayhem of the Quiz we get down to an in depth discussion of the recent Salute 52 Wargames Show down in that there London.
This is a really fun episode with a couple of great guys who have a similar outlook on the hobby to me, hope you enjoy it.
Rays blog is here
Lees is here
BigLee's 'Miniature Adventures'
I will be returning in a week or so with a further exciting update on the German Raid on the Isle of Wight in WW2 with Paul Thompson.
Looking forward to that.
Regards Ken
The Yarkshire Gamer
The previous episode with The Company of Makers is on the Utubes
Monday, 23 June 2025
World Cup of Wargaming Pet Hates - Round 2
Round 2 is underway and the above 8 ties will be set off one each day starting today 23rd June 25. Each vote link will appear here along with a quick description and picture and the result will replace the vote link when complete.
The overall draw is below
Friday, 20 June 2025
I Polli Combattenti - A Bradford City flavoured Pike Block
In September 1525 Bradford City were away at Padua in the Inter Toto Cup, unfortunately Derek the wagon train driver was accidentally killed in a argument over the correct wine ro have with Fish and Chips and there were over 600 people unable to make it home. What else to do but become Condottieri, grab some "Big Stix" (real Bradford City in joke 😁) and fight your way home.
May I present "I polli combattenti" my latest Italian Wars Pike Block, totally historically accurate celebrating Bradford City promotion to League 1 in 1525, sorry 2025
Each of the figures is painted in a different historical kit from the clubs long history, I'll add some shot (dedicated to the clubs best strikers soon), next up some AWI American Cavalry
#28mm Perry Miniatures, home made flags
Tuesday, 17 June 2025
Garibaldis Army 1860-7 - Troops on Parade
With all the World Cup match ups underway there's time for some figure stuff. I managed to put together a Troops on Parade review of the #28mm Garibaldi Collection on the Utubes. (Link at bottom of page)
Around 550 figs from the (Award Winning, but I don't like to mention it) 😉 Mentana Game
A really interesting collection to put together, Gringo40s were the mainstay of the army with 12 of the 20 Battalions. I've then needed to go "off piste" for other units using Perry ACW and BIF for 6 and 2 Battalions respectively. There are also a smattering of Shako 64, with the Artillery and some of the named officers. The video explains it all.
There are a couple of shows Mentana hasn't been to, so it may see the light of day again. I have long term plans to add a Bourbon Army and do the Battle of Volturno which would also require at least doubling these. But that's a years away with other projects underway in front of it.
This part of a project is always the best for me, flopping it all out on the table, makes all the time and the effort worth it.
Link to vid in comments
Regards Ken
Yarkshire Gamer
#wargames #tabletopgaming #history #Risorgimento #hobby
Monday, 9 June 2025
Round 1 of the Yarkshire Gamer World Cup of Wargaming Pet Hates
Here we go, the Yarkshire Gamer World Cup of Wargaming Pet Hates starts today.
This is an information post which shows the overall draw and the detailed draw for Round 1 which was made on the latest episode of the Yarkshire Gamer Podcast. The overall draw is above, Round 1 below
RULES
Each vote will appear on the Yarkshire Gamer FB page and the Yarkshire Gamers Reet Big Facebook Group. I will not share the votes elsewhere on FB, but feel free to share onwards if you think there is interest.
Each match up will have its own vote and one vote will be started each day, I can't guarantee a start time due to work but I will try and set them off between midday and 6pm Yorkshire Time.
There will be an explanation of the organisers meaning included on each of the votes as some definitions have had to be considerably shortened to fit on the graphics below.
Each vote will last 72 hours, the hate with the most votes will proceed to the next round. Any draws (yes it has happened) will be subject to a 1 hour penalty shoot out vote at a time TBD but prior to the start of the next round.
Please enjoy the World Cup, we've had some great fun over the years doing this. Let's have loads of comments and interaction but please be polite with each other. Some will no doubt fail to see the humour in this and that's fine, but it is fun and Yarkshire Gamer might not be for you 😄
This was always designed to be those little things that maybe are unique to you and was inspired by the Wargames Room 101 feature from the Yarkshire Gamer Podcast, a perfect example would be Giles Allison's entry "Unpainted Flag Edges" it's a small thing but for some reason it sends my blood pressure into space, the bad thing is that now I've mentioned it, you won't be able to not see it again.
Team Round Dice for the win, from your none biased organiser 👍
Thanks for joining in and I'll see you at the start line later today
Regards Ken
Yarkshire Gamer
#wargames #tabletopgames #tabletopgaming
VOTE LINKS
Round 1 Match Up 1
Rivet Counters are those who are obsessive about detail and point out the one Panzer IV F that's out of place on a 72 ft table with 200 tanks on, or the colour on your imaginations Fusilier Battalion cuffs.Slow Players are those who take 2 hours to set up for a 3 hour game or just take forever to do anything, they aren't indecisive they are just slow
This vote is over Rivet Counters won by 326 votes to 172 and will meet Unpainted Flag Edges in Round 2
Round 1 Match Up 2
Round 1 Match Up 2 is Up for voting, who is going to go through to the next round, do you hate rules with no index or do those really thick bases push your buttons, get voting now, we've got 3 days to decide.
This vote is over Rules with no index won 352 votes to 110 and will meet Round Dice in Round 2
Round 1 Match Up 3
Potentially a straight forward choice but you never know, this is a World Cup of Pet Hates after all, everyone hates cheats but a pile of different Counters behind a unit, that can drive you mad.
Cheats - those who break every rule possible to win, they use weighted dice (the dice in the toilet story on the Yarkshire Gamer Podcast is a classic) they use modified tape measures, argue about rules and then bend them the next move, it's not big and it's not clever.
Excessive Game Counters - often associated more with board games but it creeps into our hobby, X Wing is a classic none Historical example, hit, sheild, power, targeting etc etc markers piled up to the depth of the death star behind your ships. But its a thing in Historical Wargames too, multiple casualty Counters, next to an order and a charge marker, maybe a disorder marker it makes a beautifully sculpted set of terrain (with hills) look like a game of backgammon. Maybe just maybe it tips yoir scscales
This vote is over with Cheats winning by 439 votes to Excessive Game Counters with 44, Cheats will meet Competition Games in the next round.
Round 1 : Match Up 4
Match Up 4 is up and running, do Unpainted #Miniatures pull your strings more than Maxing Out Points Lists (which the kids tell me is how one wins with DaOrcaBusterChopperCopterCannon in 40k)
This vote is over with Unpainted Miniatures on the table winning against Maxing out Points Lists by 337 to 163
Round 1 : Match Up 5
We are over the hump in Round 1 and on the downhill run, it seems true hate is over ruling Pet Hates in the voting so far but I can only take the horse to the water 🤣
So which of these have you encountered and which drives you mad
Overly Competitive Wargamers - that person who just goes over the top whatever the situation, roll a double 6 and they are on the table shouting, "In your face, looser !) or they roll a double 1 and flip the table. Maybe a bit of serious sledging prior to the start of the game or the game face that never cracks a smile.
Those who criticise but don't do - I struggled for a short version of this and Armchair Quarterback (a bit American) came to mind later. That person who comes on social media and tells you your stuff is wrong, you ask for a pic of theirs and it never comes, they criticise your game organisation but never organise a game themselves.
I've met loads of Armchair QBs but very few OCWs so that's where my vote goes but OCWs was a huge winner in the Preliminary Round
This vote is over, Overly Competitive Wargamers recieved 364 votes and Armchair Quarterbacks got 124
Round 1 : Match Up 6
Today's show down sees an annoyance up against a travesty of justice
Rules Lawyers - now there's nothing wrong with knowing the rules but when you use them solely to win and rather than use Historical Tactics or have, dare I say fun you make that extra mm move to get a plus one it starts to be annoying
Basing Tanks - is of course an absolute disgrace (now quiet down tank basers you've been knocked out already 😄) Lovely tank models lumbering across the table carrying 3 acres of muck with them and its the same muck, on a road, in a field, across a fjord, is just wrong. Tanks should be free to roam unchained from the shackles of a base.
The voting is over and Rules Lawyers got 385 votes and Basing Tanks only 58
Round 1 : Match Up 7
Not long to go in Round 1 as we have Match Up 7 today, early start so I can post some results later as the first 4 votes will be over. Today's match sees,Round 1 : Match Up 8
Round 1 : Match Up 8 is here and just like that Round 1 is over (in 3 days)
This could be the closest one yet and the two entries were pretty close in the Preliminary so could be our first nail biter.
Incomplete Figure Ranges - it might be a Kickstarter that you invest in that never does more than a basic range or it could be an older range that never got round to bringing out the bit you needed before they moth balled it. Picture is my Woodbine Design WW1 Turkish, been waiting 15 plus years for the Cavalry figures 🤷
Table Clutter - we all do it, a beautiful looking table starts to look like a hand grenade has gone off in the Stationary Section of WH Smiths ! Bits of paper, Play Sheets, copies of the rules, scenario etc, add to that dice boxes, tape measures, Counters, phones etc, the pic is from one of our club games, I plead guilty.
The final result saw Incomplete Figure Ranges obtain 310 votes whilst table Clutter recieved 182
That concludes the voting for Round 1, Round 2 begins Monday 23rd June
Sunday, 8 June 2025
Yarkshire Gamer Podcast 71 - Company of Makers - Veterans & Wargaming
Hello everyone and welcome once again to the Yarkshire Gamer Reet Big Wargames Podcast.
Today for the 71st episode I have three guests, Steve Bomford who runs the Company of Makers (CoM) Organisation which helps Veterans adapt to civilian life post service. Nick Denning who is a former British Army Infantry Officer who is developing a near future Wargame with the assistance of CoM and Conrad Steele - Benny, a 30 plus year RAF Veteran who is heavily involved in the organisation of CoM events.
The episode is available on all major Podcast hosts or via the link below
https://kenrtai.podbean.com/e/episode-71-company-of-makers-veterans-and-wargaming/
Between us we discuss their individual careers and involvement in Wargaming before moving on to discuss the work that The Company of Makers does. At the end of the show we widen out the discussion to cover the link between Veterans and Wargaming, the benefits it can bring and how we, as individuals can help.
It was an interesting and often thought provoking discussion which I hope you will enjoy.
If you would like to know more about the Company of Makers their website is here
Company of Makers – Podcasts | Talks | Workshops
My next episode will be with The Posties Rejects, Ray and Big Lee when we will be having a chat around their channels and blogs as well as a review of the recent Salute Show in that there London.
Until next time, Sithee
Regards Ken
The Yarkshire Gamer
The previous episode is available on the Utubes below
Monday, 2 June 2025
World Cup of Wargaming Pet Hates - Preliminary Round Results
Over the last 7 days the voting has been going on for the Preliminary Round of Wargaming Pet Hates and its time to announce the qualifiers who go through to the 1st Round Proper.
These 16 "teams" will be drawn into 8 knock out ties, the draw will occur during the recording of the Brews in the Binyard Summer Special Podcast on 6th June, my intention is to set the match ups off on the 9th June, more details to follow
The winners of the 8 first round match ups will progress through to Round 2 where they meet the seeds, 8 pet hates chosen for no other reason that they are the 8 things I hate the most.
1. Competition Games
2. Round Dice
3. Points Battles
4. Painting Portaloo
5. Dice with unclear faces
6. Unpainted Flag Edges
7. Factions
8. Sabot Bases
The draw for the second round will take place on the Brews recording as well. There is no seeding within the seeds, the draw order of Round 2 will determine the remaining ties (QF,SF and Final)
Those who just missed out are
And for those who are interested here are the also rans
There have been just shy of 3,000 votes, thanks to everyone who has voted, thanks to everyone who has joined in and commented, especially the ones who have told me that my definitions in my poll on my page were incorrect 🤣
See you all for Round 1 soon