Squarebashing 2026

[SimonC]

Hi,

At the moment we are discussing the idea of possibly running the Squarebashing day at Britcon in 2026. That means it would be August time at Loughborough . Britcon is a 3 day event so we could look at being a 1,2 or 3 day type event (players choosing which dates they can attend)

Would this be of interest? or just a non-starter

thanks
Simon

[Colonel Kilgore]

Simon,
With thanks for all you do to run the Square Bashing Day each year, I'm afraid a multi-day event in August and in Loughborough is of little interest to me personally.
Distance, duration and school holidays are all challenges.
I appreciate that each day would be optional, but I personally prefer us all getting together on a Saturday before the school holidays and making a day of it.
But that's just me.
Simon

[Smiley Miley 66]

I would agree with Simon P on this. The accommodation and food costs plus time off all very costly in more ways than you can imagine?
I would say a Saturday or weekend event at the New Entoyment next year in May or June would be agreeable to a lot of potential players well as the normal players ? Especially as this number seems to be getting smaller these ? We down south can field usually 9-10 players on an average PP games day? With Sean, and some of you boys from the Midlands we could make it 12/14 players maybe a couple more ?
I know it would be taking it away from Battlefield Hobbies who have be good hosts for us over the years ? But so is Britcon ?
Plus if you want Martin be there ? You might have to rethink some of the things ?
Its only my opinion ? But I don't think I would be too far from the truth ?
Miles

[John Watson]

Apparently it is at Leicester de Montfort University in 2025. Is it moving again in 2026 or is Loughborough an old venue? I have never attended a SB day as Daventry for a one day game doesn't seem worth the drive or expense or effort at my age.
So a three day event might be good in Leicestershire, but preferably not in the school summer holidays. I tend to agree with Miles that an event at Entoyment or somewhere closer to the south coast of England would suit me, but I am being selfish.
John

[Sean Clark]

My vote would be for it to stay where it is. I'm unable to commit to a multi day event, and August is too unpredicatable with potential holidays. I enjoy Britcon, but it's generally a last minute decision if I'm arond to attend. If it's the only option, I'd sggest choose one day to concnetrate attendance.

I'd rather it NOT move to Entoyment. Battlefield Hobbies is a 2 hour drive, but my closest Piggie event, so see it as a 'local'. If it were to move south, I suspect we'd lose some of the Burton gang, so where we gain on the Weymouth gang, we'd lose elsewhere. Just my opinion.

[martin goddard]

I rather like it as it is.

Battlefield hobbies has been a good host to us.

Entoyment is  closer for me, but not everything needs to be for my convenience of course.
Loughborough is a real centre for competition gaming, but maybe that is not what square Bashing day is.
Square Bashing is a more informal get together? It could be spoiled if a couple of entrants were expecting a "competition" format, signed up  and sought success as their primary motivator.

I have played in many competitions, some going back to 1972. The competition situation can often bring down the play enjoyment as players have the surroundings, motivation and title of "competition". 
I would rather the foci to be nice looking armies, nice players,  period concentration and scenery.


The group that played this year in 2025 seemed a well balanced bunch of players who played nicely and were not too bothered about the winning. That is how it seemed to me.
Competitions often create enjoyment for the winner at the expense of the loser. 

These are just some thoughts.
Maybe there will be a new version out by next year?

Good discussion about an important event .

martin

[Smoking gun]

Hello,
I'm with Sean and others who would prefer it to be at Battlefield Hobbies which is much closer to me than a Dorset venue which would mean a 3 day (or more) time commitment for me, not to mention the additional financial impact of the longer journey.

What will the theme be for 2026?

Best wishes,
Martin, from a village west of Grimsby

[Stewart 46A]

We are planning a sq bashing battle day at Entoyment
Sat 11th July 2026

All welcome

Stewart

[Smiley Miley 66]

Stewart it might be better to adjust that so it's before the Battlefield Hobbies one ? Then those of us going up can use it as a practice day ?
Or use Battlefield Hobbies as a Practice day for your event ?
Hopefully we might have started the Revised version before then ?
Miles

[Stewart 46A]

Sorry Miles
I have other commitments the other weekends

Stewart

[martin goddard]

Simon,Ray and Dene  et al organise the event.
They do a good job for which we thank them.

My own thoughts would be to ask those that attended this year (2025) and go with that.

Not much point changing it about for those who don't attend, unless that makes them certain to attend. Additionally, changes might lose some of those that did attend.

Maybe just leave it alone? Not my decision though.
We would benefit mostly from the organiser's  "hopes and ambition" thoughts.

martin

[Colonel Kilgore]

I would be (very) happy to leave things as they've been for the last few years, and to meet for a Saturday-only event at Battlefield Hobbies before the summer holidays.

Simon

[Stewart 46A]

To clarify
The sq bashing day at Entoyment isn't instead of or against Battlefield hobbies,
It is for those of us who can't travel to battlefield hobbies but would like to play the game.

Saying that all players are welcome
Northerners
Southerners
Foreigners

Stewart

[Sean Clark]

What about Midlanders?

😂🤣😅

[Stewart 46A]

North or south midlands Sean?

Stewart