Don't panic! This is war but not as we know it

BATTLES from the past, present and even the future were re-fought as the city's Wargamers put on their annual show.

The weekend-long event by the Plymouth Association of Wargamers saw about 700 people pass through the doors of the City College Plymouth in Kings Road to sample all aspects of the engrossing hobby.

SOLDIERING ON: Adam Williams and Phil Martin, above, with their game re-enacting the landing of Japanese forces at Khota Bahru, Malaya, in 1941. Right, Mark Norman and Chris Moore with their game 'Defend the Temple'
DRESSING UP: Tina and John Orange, of the Sealed Knot's Prince Maurice's Regiment

Event organiser Clive Dudley said there was everything from historical games and fantasy games to sci-fi and magical gaming.

He said: "We had wargamers re-enacting the US War of Independence but also a fictional Dad's Army battle. The chap running that had made absolutely fantastic scenery and figures including Corporal Jones and his butcher's van in the fictional town of Warmington-on-Sea.

"Another chap had made a World War Two desert battle based on the video game Call of Duty. He had built everything from scratch himself."

Clive said the passion for the hobby came from its broadness, which ranged from the creative talents of building and painting to the engrossing historical knowledge gathered from recreating a well-known battle.

He said: "It's a hobby you can really get involved in. There's also a camaraderie involved. You can meet like-minded people and everyone involved gets on really well.

"But not only can you re-enact history, you can alter it.

"You have the entire history of mankind to look at, and even the future.

"You can go back and recreate the Battle of Waterloo and make Napoleon win. You can change aspects of an event, to see if the weather could have changed the outcome of a battle."

Members of the Sealed Knot were also on hand to give a 17th century musket drill demonstration while one Dr Who fan kept things right up to date.

Clive said: "One of the gamers really kept the kids happy pitting the Daleks against the Sontarans and UNIT.

"Everyone really enjoyed themselves. It's getting to be such a well-attended big event that I have to start planning next year's show as soon as this one's finished. It's become so phenomenally successful over the years."