Sunday, 19 October 2025

Yarkshire Gamer Podcast 79 - Live at T'Other Partizan

 

A change in Programming Schedule as the difficult birthing of the Wargames Time Machine episode continues.

As always it's avaliable on all major Podcast hosts or via the link below 

https://kenrtai.podbean.com/e/episode-79-live-from-tother-partizan/

I took the opportunity to take a ginormous microphone down to that there Newark and the T'Other Partizan show where I spoke to the organisers and a variety of people including former guests and potential new ones, here is the full running order

Running Order Live at T'Other Partizan 

Side 1
1. On Ilkley Moor bar t'at (Band of the Coldstream Guards)
2. Intro with Yarkshire Gamer
3. Trix and Laurence (Partizan Organisers)
4. Andy Johnson (Episode 64)
5. Roger Castle
6. Chris Flowers (Episode 32)
7. Martin Gane (Episode 53)

Side 2
1. James Morris
2. Big Lee and Ray (Episode 72)
3. Simon Miller (Episode 22)
4. Joe Bilton (Episode 58)
5. Barry Hilton

Side 3
1. Kevin Dallimore
2. Tim Whitworth
3. Mark Backhouse
4. Rich Clarke (Episode 50) and the Brews Boys
5. Steve Shann (Episode 40)
6. Pete Berry (Episode 44)
7. Glen from Warbases

Side 4
1. Paul Eaglestone - Empress Miniatures
2. Dave Thomas
3. Paul EWM (Episode 43)
4. Leon from Pendraken
5. Outro Yarkshire Gamer
6. Last of the Summer Wine (edit)

Something a bit different, hope you enjoy it, please like subscribe and leave a comment where you can thank you.

Hopefully back soon with the Time Machine finally working !

Regards Ken 

And as always here is the previous episode on the Utubes 



The Yarkshire Gamer 

Sunday, 21 September 2025

1/700 Convoy - New Liberty Ships

 

Things have been a bit slow on the hobby front this month but I've managed to add another 2 1/700 scale Liberty Ships to the Convoy (now 10 in total)

Watchers of the Monthly Update will recall a few months ago I picked up a large collection of model ships from a chap (Vincent Kennedy) who had sadly passed away and these are the first two that have been Yarkshire Gamerfied.

I wanted to keep the orginal model as much as I could, but weather and base them so that they fit in with the rest of the collection, there are another 4 merchants to work on so I hope to have those done soon as well. The number of ships in the collection I picked up, is a bit overwhelming but I've made a start and guaranteed that these models will live on a bit longer.

I'm guessing that they are the Trumpeter Models but some of the AA mounts are different which I'm guessing is a conversion.

I'm a bit behind on the Podcast as well but I'll get back in the swing soon.

Regards Ken 

Yarkshire Gamer 


#naval #wargames #wargaming #TabletopGaming #wargames #1/700 #modelling 


Friday, 5 September 2025

Yarkshire Gamer Podcast 78 - Mark Strachan - New Zealand 1866

 


Hi everyone, welcome once again to Yarkshire Gamers Reet Big Wargames Podcast.

Today sees a continuation of our round the world trip with a visit to New Zealand and my guest Mark Strachan.

The episode is available on all major Podcast hosts or via the link below 

https://kenrtai.podbean.com/e/episode-78-mark-strachan-new-zealand-1866/


Marks Blog 1866 and all that has been a popular stop off point for many wargamers over the years, it covers many things but specialises in the Franco Prussian War and other similar wars around that time.

https://stracmark.blogspot.com/


We look at Marks personal hobby as well as his time working in the wargames industry and the hobby in general in New Zealand. Hope you enjoy it.

Episode 79 will be a new show format for Yarkshire Gamer as I take you all back in time to 1983 and the first ever edition of Miniature Wargames. I've got some great guests and an item from the magazine (kindly donated by its current owner) which I hope to raise a few quid for the Bradford Burns Unit by auctioning it off.

So until next time,

Sithee

Regards Ken

The Yarkshire Gamer

And as always here's the Utubes version of the last episode 



Friday, 29 August 2025

Yarkshire Gamer Podcast 77 - Charlie Wesencraft - A Tribute

 


Earlier this year one of the early Wargaming Pioneers Charlie Wesencraft passed away at the age of 97. 

You can listen to the episode via any major Podcast Host, just search for Yarkshire Gamer, or you can tune in on this link

https://kenrtai.podbean.com/e/episode-77-charlie-wesencraft-a-tribute/

I thought it would be a fitting tribute to get some of my former guests together and have them tell Charlies story and there memories of him. 


In between the various interview sections I read passages from his first book, written in 1974, Practical Wargaming. See if you can spot any phrases from those readings that still resonate today.

Charlies first book can still be obtained via amazon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Charlie-Wesencrafts-Practical-Wargaming-Wesencraft-ebook/dp/B01H2UK96U?ie=UTF8&tag=mh0a9-21&hvadid=&hvpos=&hvexid={aceid}&hvnetw=o&hvrand=&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_7dy1f5hemb_e


Here is a link to Robbie Roddis' piece on his blog about Charlie

https://independentwargamesgroup.blogspot.com/2025/04/charlie-wesencraft-author-wargamer-and.html


And here is the piece about Pete Berry from Baccus6mm and his tribute to Charlie which has a link to the Blenheim Project

https://www.baccus6mm.com/news/28-06-2025/CharlesFWesencraft/

Thanks for listening and as always, please like subscribe and comment wherever you get this podcast to help the listenership grow.

My next guest will hopefully be Mark Strachan from New Zealand who runs the 1866 and all that blog, so I best get the Yarkshire Airline Pidgeon fed up for the trip.

Regards Ken

The Yarkshire Gamer

And of course here's the last episode on the Utubes 



Friday, 15 August 2025

Yarkshire Gamer Podcast 76 - A Question of Brews

 


Hello everyone and here's something for the weekend !

This is the hangover from Episode 74 when in the Brews in the Binyard Episode where we talked rubbish for that long we didn't get chance to cover the listener questions ! So here they are.

As usual the episode is avaliable on all major Podcast hosts or via the link below 

https://kenrtai.podbean.com/e/episode-76-a-question-of-brews/

We spend an hour catching up as one or two things have happened between this episode and the last brews and then its into the questions.

As always for the professionally offended, this is a very loose form Podcast which contains the odd (and even) naughty word, I even mention edible knickers a couple of times (no, I don't know where it came from either) so if its not your ting skip on by and wait for the next episode.

Speaking of which I am putting together a Tribute Episode to the recently departed Charlie Wesencraft whose book Practical Wargaming was an introduction to the hobby for many of us. If you would like to include an audio tribute (minute of so long) to Charlie, send it to me at yarkshiregamer@gmail.com 

Until next time Sithee

Regards Ken

The Yarkshire Gamer

The YouTube version of the previous episode is shown below





Thursday, 7 August 2025

Rebellion and Retribution - A Review of the new Ireland 1642-49 Scenario Book

 


Welcome to the latest Yarkshire Gamer Review and today I am looking at a new scenario book written by Bill Linhart, Peter Page and Paul Reynolds specifically for Simon Millers To the Strongest Rules.

Honest Box - Simon sent me this book to review, I think he's a top bloke. I don't play To the Strongest and I'm a Royalist 😁

I do a quick flip through of the book and then concentrate on one of the scenarios (there are 8) so you get a good idea if the book is for you.



Personally I think it's a great book and even includes a mention of my Great, Great Great etc Uncle Myles and his weak bladder.


Recommended 

Avaliable at the Big Red Bat Shop - please mention Yarkshire Gamer when ordering (no you won't get a discount)

https://bigredbatshop.co.uk/collections/all/scenarios

Regards Ken

The Yarkshire Gamer 

Sunday, 3 August 2025

Yarkshire Gamer Podcast 75 - Ken Hanning - Wargaming Positivity

 

Hello everyone and welcome to the shows Diamond Jubilee.

Todays guest is Ken Hanning. Ken has a wonderful wargaming shed (its a lot better than a shed !) which is named The Perthshire War Room.

You can listen to the Podcast on all the usual Podcast Hosts or via the link below

https://kenrtai.podbean.com/e/episode-75-ken-hanning-wargaming-positivity/

It is a wonderful spot and the envy of many when he shows the room off on his Big Wargames Website and YouTube Chanel.

Ken has many links with the Leeds Wargaming Scene and it was lovely to chat about old friends some of which are no longer with us, the joys of Yorkshire and the Pie based food of the area.

At the end of the show we try and tackle a difficult subject in a positive manner. Ken was diagnosed with Cancer some time ago and has gone through numerous rounds of treatment and surgery some of which only ended last week. Ken was keen to talk about how the hobby and people in it have been amazingly supportive. Other communities like the We Have Ways Podcast have also been key to Kens wellbeing and it was a joy to hear the positivity in his story. Thanks to Ken for being so open and honest.

Kens Big Wargames Website is here

Big Wargames

The YouTube Channel is here

https://youtube.com/@kenhanning57?si=KhP5Bf1Rf0i1U_eZ

Next episode will be the Brews in the Binyard Questions we missed at the end of episode 74

Until Next Time,

Sithee

Regards Ken 

The Yarkshire Gamer

As always here's a link to the previous episode on the Utubes 



Friday, 25 July 2025

The Grand Final of the World Cup of Wargaming Pet Hates

 


It's the Grand Final 

NB Anyone who comments "they are the same" or similar is expected to donate at least 5 English Pounds to the Bradford Burns Unit !

The general public have decided that the Final match up will be

Cheats - they are the ones who bend or break the rules with the sole intention of winning, it could be loaded dice, the Limber Shuffle, moving figures those extra few inches when someone isn't looking or picking up the dice so quickly you don't see the results, it isn't big, it isn't clever and it is definitely ungentlemanly !

Overly Competitive Wargamers - whilst winning for them is also the primary goal, this isn't about subtle or underhand cheating, it's about screaming "LOSER" in you face when they roll double 6, flip the table when they loose or shout like they have won the FA Cup when they wi a melee.

Vote link https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17e1Vd5ZKi/

NB - the Limber Shuffle is an age old method of cheating, it requires a deployed battery and a based Limber (the longer the better) To begin the Shuffle declare you are moving the deployed battery and place the rear of your Limber model at the front of the battery.

Then measure your movement from the front of the Limber (gaining a handy 6 or 7 in movement) and then when you are ready to deploy again, place the front of the Limber at the end of you tape measure, rotate the Limber so it faces in the opposite direction and deploy the battery at the new rear of the Limber (gaining another 6 or 7 inches)


The Bradford City Football Club Burns Unit Appeal is a registered UK Charity (Number 1122310) set up after the tragedy of the fire at the club which killed 56 people on the 11th May 1985 after a stand caught light during a home match.

With that in mind all abusive and Salute hating posts will be deleted 

Regards Ken 

The Yarkshire Gamer 

Friday, 18 July 2025

Yarkshire Gamer Podcast 74 - Brews in the Binyard 25

 

Welcome to the Summer Edition of the Brews in the Binyard side Podcast within a Podcast.

Its the 9th time we have done one of these and they are very different to the usual shows, so after a run of 7 or 8 "normal" episodes I suppose I best warn newcomers that there may be a spot of bad language and you really don't want to play this with kids in the room.

Available on all major Podcast hosts or via the link below 

https://kenrtai.podbean.com/e/episode-74-brews-in-the-binyard-summer-2025/

Someone will no doubt be offended, but that's not the intention and I hope everyone takes the show in the tongue in cheek manner it is intended.

We start the show with a general catch up with some lively discussions about wargame magazine coverage and game complexity that develops nicely throughout the show.

Part 2 is the draw for the 1st and 2nd Rounds of the World Cup of Wargaming Pet Hates, we discuss the results of the Preliminary Votes and those who didn't make the cut before going onto the draw.

We delayed the usual 3rd part of listener questions, we were already over 3 hours in and thanks to the wonderful audience we had well over 70 questions, so we decided to come back and do a separate episode in a few weeks time.

So sit back and enjoy this episode and I'll see you again soon with either a guest or a bunch of questions.

Regards Ken

The Yarkshire Gamer

The previous episode is on the Utubes below



Wednesday, 16 July 2025

World Cup of Wargaming Pet Hates - Semi Finals

 

Time for the Semi finals, many Pet Hates (including all of mine !) have fallen along the way and there are only four left and it's up to you to decide which will have the dubious honour of lifting The World Cup of Wargaming Pet Hates.

Remember it's the one with the most votes who wins, the competition to date is laid out below, many more fell by the wayside in the Preliminary Round 







Semi Final A is underway

Which of these two wins your vote as your least favourite 

Cheats - many people want to win but cheating to do so breaks every rule under the sun, it is a game of Roy soldiers after all, but some justbwant to break the rules.

Smelly Gamers - like a game of Ping Pong but without the Ping 😎

I've got no idea which way this one will go but there can be only one, and its usually the one I don't vote for ! 3 days to find out

Results below 

Semi Final B looks like a shoe in but the first one looked like a close thing and isn't, I have no idea what's going on anymore 😆

Unpainted Miniatures on the Table - with the exception of kids and new starters is it ever acceptable.

Overly Competitive Wargamers - we all know "that guy", they jump on the table and shout in your face when they win, flip the table when they loose 

A place in the final is up for grabs, get voting 

Results below 







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

Quarter Final Two of the Yarkshire Gamer World Cup of Wargaming Pet Hates 

The second quarter Final sees old favourites Ribet Counters 😉 who obsess about the slightest detail on a 72 foot table against those who just can't be bothered to paint their figures are turn up in a mix of grey plastic and metal.

Only one will reach the Semis so get voting now. I am attempting my attempting yet another loss in my voting I've only been on the winning side 4 times so far 🤣

Results below

Quarter Final Three sees (or smells) Smelly Gamers take on Incomplete Figure Ranges, is it the pong or the wait that drives you mad !

Results below


Quarter Final 4 is a monster match up

Two big Hates match up in the World Cup of Pet Hates with a place in the Semis on offer to the winner

Rules Lawyers love to bend the rules to make sure they win, whilst an Overly Competitive Wargamers will jump on the table and scream "Loser" in your face when they win, neither are nice but which one is worse.

Results below


The Semi Finals will start on Weds 16th July 




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

Don't Throw a 1

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


Round 2 Match Up 1


Round 2 of the Yarkshire Gamer World Cup of Wargaming Pet Hates and it sees the Podcast "favourite" up against one of the winners from Round 1 Rules with no index.

If you're new to the World Cup, Round 2 is traditionally where all my choices get knocked out 😆, remember you are voting for your Pet Hate which are always infinitely more funny than something you actually hate 👍

Round Dice are the uniting force in Wargaming, every guest on the Yarkshire Gamer Podcast has Banned them, that 74 episodes of banned. Solving a problem that never existed, they roll across the table until then smash into you lovely painted figures. When they finally do stop they never end up on a number !

Rules with No Index - equally frustrating I being halfway through a game and something crops up, you know exactly what you need to find, so you look in the index, but it's not there ! Queue hours of oage flicking, swearing and reading out of irrelevant passages.

Voting is open as always for 3 days, there can be only one

THIS VOTE IS OVER RULES WITH NO INDEX WON 353 TO 116

Round 2 Match Up 2

Round 2 : Match Up 2

I've been banging on (and being completely ignored 😆) about this being a World Cup of Pet Hates and everyone keeps going full out hate, there is so much anger out there, my next Podcast may well be Whale Song to calm people down 😆

Having said that, both of today's nominations are real Hates of mine !

Points Battles - to quote Winston Churchill "Never in the field of human conflict have 2 generals added up so many points to make a Battle even" I played a few points based games against a competition player at my old club, you may have heard me mention Mad Angus McMadmurderer on the Podcast. I have played scenarios ever since. 

Rules Lawyers - proved popular in the first round, they tend to be the sort of people who you only play once. We all need to know the rules but we don't need to avoid historical tactics and fun to spin the rules so we win a GAME.

Could be a close one this, so let's have your votes, 3 days to as Bucks Fizz said "Make Your Mind Up"

THIS VOTE IS OVER RULES LAWYERS WON 423 TO 68

Round 2 : Match Up 3


The 3rd vote in this round sees a proper Pet Hate Up against a real hate, so with you lot I know which one is going to win 🤣

Unpainted Flag Edges are a scurge on the hobby, I've seen the just beautiful painted figures on lovely bases which are amazing, but all I can see is a huge white line down the edge of the flag and that's all I can see, it's a two minute job, there are no excuses. Thanks to Giles Allison who put these I Wargames Room 101. 

Rivet Counters - "I think you'll find" is a simple phrase but said in that certain nasal tone at a Wargames table you spent 5 years of your life putting together. We all like to be historically accurate but some can take it to a new level. Like the person who said my flag was too big on my Bradford City Pike Block, there is no helping some.

After the other votes I can see where this will go but for #Wargames sake think of those flags

RIVET COUNTERS WON THE TIE WITH 346 VOTES TO UNPAINTED FLAG EDGES 143


Round 2 Match Up 4

I've given up trying to get it through to people that this is a Pet Hates World Cup but here goes anyway

Unclear Dice Faces - whether it be some logo where the six should be or some smart arse who decided that Sumerian Numbers would be absolutely fine with everyone (it isnt) having things other than dots or actual readable numbers on dice is a crime against humanity. And then there are game specific dice where your "faction" just has to have its own dice (at 15.99 a pop)

Smelly Gamers - apparently this really upsets people (making it an actual hate) but it's something I haven't encountered in a while. Maybe a scratch and sniff pad on the back of my next show ticket could remind me. 
 
SMELLY GAMERS OBTAINED 371 VOTES AGAINST UNCLEAR DICE FACES 107

Round 2 Match Up 5


Round 2 : Match Up 5

Today we see a match up between two of the outside choices but the luck of the draw will see one if them in the Quarter Finals 

Sabot Bases - this is personal to me but they drive me mad 😆 they are useful for modern periods where troops are spread out and make things easier to move but for a shoulder to shoulder unit they look like they are socially distanced and a very tempting target for someone on horseback. Add it to a doorstep base and the sky is literally the limit.

Incomplete Figure Ranges - 20 years after starting my WW1 Turkish Army with Woodbine Design figures they still haven't released the Cavalry, I'm obviously not that bothered 🤣 but this is for anyone who has been left hanging by a manufacturer after sinking hundreds of pounds into a project and they never bring out all the figures.

3 days to find out who the winner is

INCOMPLETE FIGURE RANGES CAME OUT THE WINNER WITH 385 VOTES TO SABOT BASES 48

Unfortunately the explosion of my Magazine video and a few days away in Ireland kept me from keeping everything updated, here are the full results

So that means that the Quarter Final line up is as listed below, first vote Monday and as in  previous rounds each vote last 3 days and one vote will start each day




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