Some pictures summing up 2025 , it had its ups and downs but ended on a positive.
Looking forward to a very different #2026 doing a lot more of what I want.
Have a great New Year everyone
1. 1/700 HMS Warspite, the pride of the Royal Navy in two wars, the final ship of my Narvik Project and an absolute favourite of mine, I've never claimed to be a good modeller but I did alright on this.
2. 28mm Giovanni Bande Nere Pike Block and shot. Read about this unit since I was a teenager and never put one together. The flags are in mourning of Giovannis death as are the "somber" colours of the troops, I have units from both before and after Giovannis death and call it the Schrodinger Bande when they are both on the table.
3. The Battle of Mentana 1867 table set up at Salute in that there London, along with the banner for Best Historical Game which we won at the show. WI then mis-awarded me and combined the award with the Large Game and said Warwick won it, not that I'm bothered or anything and haven't mentioned it once since 😉😆 really proud to have won such an award at such a big show.
4. A Swiss Pike Block from a game at the York Show Vapnartak, we did a number of shows during the year and will be back out again in 2026 with York and Salute already booked in.
5 Bradford City the football team I watch every week, actually did something and got promoted to League 1, what made it even better was we scored in 90 + 6 minutes and I was there. I made a Pike Block to celebrate 🍾
6. The Yarkshire Gamer table at Partizan 2025, I put on the Battle of Germantown 1777 (this game will be at York) it included many figures from my friend Dave Parrott who had passed away the previous year and I used the table to advertise his choosen charity Dogs Trust 🐕
7. Cesare Borgias Body Guard, it started as 6 figures but it keeps growing 😆
8. I put a 6mm ACW game at The Joy of Six, I'm a big fan of the work that Pete Berry at Baccus does with 6mm and although it's not my main way of gaming it doesn't mean I can't support it and I'll be there again next year.
9. Did I mention I won an award at Salute 🫡 🤔 😅
11. I finished off my Elite Miniatures Young Guard Brigade. I have loved these figures for ever but fell out of love with them when I did a load for the Wargames Holiday Centre in the 80s and 90s. I took the plunge with some and managed to complete a few units this year, I absolutely love them.
12. The Podcast keeps going from strength to strength and will be 5 years old in 6 weeks time. Over 200,000 downloads and 81 Episodes, I've stayed away from the latest fashion and tried to interview interesting people who maybe haven't done a show before and branch out into History, Paint Brushes and Veteran Support.
2026 will be different and I plan to spend more time with the hobby I love, I might even get a few games in ! I plan to be more regular (with bran flakes) with the Podcast, do more focused Utubes and annoy more people with the Brews in the Binyard 😆
2026 will also so a return of the World Cup if Historical Wargames Rules and we will see if Chain of Command can retain its crown.
Have a great New Year everyone and try and do as much of the hobby as you can, it really is good for you !
Regards Ken
The Yarkshire Gamer
