WARGAME SHOWS: Beachhead 2024

Today I headed off to the Beachhead Show, it’s the first time I’ve attended this one. After a fairly early start, favourite daughter and I found the Bournemouth International Centre, parked up and headed into the show.

Having pre-booked last night, entry was easy and hassle free, and we were issued with a pair of wristbands and free event guide.

Through the foyer and we were greeted by half a dozen demo games, including a game based on Hell’s Highway 1944 put on by the Old Pikeys. Part of Operation Market Garden, this particular event has also been immortalised through film and the iconic “Start the purple!” scene in A Bridge Too Far.

Great chatting to Mike, and daughter enjoyed throwing some dice. Incidentally for a first time wargamer she managed to hit a Sherman!

Good catching up with Paul and @thecastingbench from Early War Miniatures. Fascinating to hear Paul talking about the findings of the Isle of Wight Raid, he and the group might be on to something there. Some compelling evidence starting to build and fascinating to hear of their findings so far. If you’re heading to the show tomorrow do head over and check out the presentation.

I tend to visit traders first and then onto demo/participation games when visiting a show. Here there was a good range of traders on offer, including Grubby Tanks where I picked up a few more Commandos on bikes for Sword 80 and another character. The Mayor of Courselles on his bike! Ah why not!

Amongst others we dropped by the Square, Blotz, and picked up some trees from Warpainter. Daughter very happy to come home with some gems and rather funky d12 dice for a ‘Gem Hunt’ game she’s building.

Onto the demo games next, and there was a seriously high standard of game on offer today, though as always I didn’t take enough photos! A good range from Battlegroup Bagration, to Jurassic Park, Star Wars, and Warhammer – plus much in between.

A pair of Zulu Wars games looked super, one by South Midlands Wargames and one by Stephen Larkin.

Regular readers will know I’m quite a fan of big amphibious landing games, and this show did not disappoint.

Firstly, a really eye catching game put on by the Wardy’s: Dieppe in 15mm. Everything about this table shouted WOW to me! The colour and finish to the sea, attention to detail on the beach (shale not sand), and great models. Great chat with the two younger lads (sorry didn’t catch your names), both clearly very proud of the table and into the game!

We had to go back later, and saw the LCTs had started to land some Churchills. I really liked this table, perhaps best in show?

Stopping for lunch, we headed up to the balcony and what a view of the main hall. At this point we heard the call for Star Wars character photos in the foyer. Daughter again very happy!

After being fed and watered we explored the rest of the demo games. This 1812 Battle of Borodino table was impressive, 28mm figures and perhaps 18 or 24 feet long?

I was delighted to see a Rapid Fire Reloaded game of Hell’s Highway being played too, and met Don McHugh. Lovely chaps and I might have to get myself down to Weston super Mare for a game.

An absolute highlight of the show for me was meeting Colin Rumford and Richard Marsh on their Rapid Fire stand. It’s fair to say their D-Day book (the ‘blue book’) has been a large part in me getting Sword 80 off the drawing board. Genuinely really nice chaps, and had a good old natter while sharing pics of landing craft. What a stunning Omaha beach they’re playing on!

Oh and I learned today I’m the ‘landing craft chap’, which my little girl found hilarious!

Did I say I like big amphibious landing games?

Well here’s another, put on by Friends of Peter Pig. An epic Gold Beach landing set up, superb details, and I especially enjoyed seeing the array of landing craft. I’ll let the photos speak for the quality of the table, and again approachable guys playing the game who were more than happy to have a chat.

So all in all a very enjoyable day out and a show I’d certainly think about attending again next year. A fairly restrained haul today, but I’ve come away with some further inspiration, enjoyed all the conversations, and made some new wargaming connections. Plus daughter enjoyed throwing some dice, so who knows, maybe another recruit in the making.

It’s also got me considering putting a demo game on of Sword next year at a show or two. Let’s see..! Now, back to Sword 80.