Yarkshire Gamers Reet Big Wargames Podcast

Hi all, Its been a while since the last podcast but I couldn't miss a Summer Brews in the Binyard ! I'm joined by Alex Sotheran from Storm of Steel and Iain Mcdonald of Flags of War for our half yearly loo at the Wargaming World. WARNING - This podcast contains naughty words and jokes about Wargaming, if you are of a nervous disposition I would turn off this podcast and go and do something more interesting instead ! We start the show with our usual catch up, a chat about Salute (Alex mentioned the award, not me) and Partizan before discussing if too much terrain and not enough figures is an issue on some tables. Then its the draw and general chat about the 2026 World Cup of Historical Wargames Rules. I may mention my despair at the standard of replies in the Preliminary Round, once or twice. With the draw done its onto Ask Our Nora when we get stuck into your questions. I have to admit I was absolutely overwhelmed with questions this time and had to close off the question posts 24 hours before the show. We didnt manage to get through all the questions, I have 7 A4 pages of 12 point text of questions we didnt get too. Apologies if you are one of those, we will try and get to them at a later show. Sit back and enjoy Until next time, Sithee Regards Ken The Yarkshire Gamer

Hi all, Welcome to the show and today I have a bit of a spontaneous episode (for me) with Joe and Aaron from Dads War Room over in Hull (or is it 'ull) in the East Riding of Yorkshire. I saw what the lads were doing via the Yarkshire Gamer Facebook page and I knew I had to get them on and help to get their message out to the world. Mens Mental Health has come a long way in my lifetime and Mens Sheds and the likes of Andys Man Club has made discussing how we feel more socially acceptable, so Joes idea of a Wargaming Club focusing on being not only a space for painting, building and gaming but also being a place where a shared hobby experience might help bring on the courage to share any personal challenges and receive likeminded support is a fantastic one. Both Joe and Aaron are relatively new to the hobby so its a shorter more bespoke format to the episode as we get straight into the meat and tattes and talk about the setting up of the club, its first meeting and some great positive plans for the future. Give these lads a like and a follow and if you can help in any way please do so, sharing this show link would be a great start ! Dads War Room is on Facebook, Tiktok and the Utubes, links below https://www.youtube.com/@Dadswarroom https://www.instagram.com/dads.warroom?igsh=MW1vNDVuYjhhZG1jeA%3D%3D https://www.facebook.com/groups/1368023948184485/?ref=share I'll be back next week for a birthday party to celebrate 5 years of the Podcast Regards Ken The Yarkshire Gamer

Hello all, and welcome to the Christmas 2025 edition of the Podcast and as always I spend the festive celebrations with the Brews in the Binyard crew, tonight its a full house. I'm joined by Alex Sotheran from Storm of Steel and Iain McDonald of Flags of War as usual but there is also a return for the "voice of reason" Sean Clark. If you haven't listened to a Brews before it contains a lot of opinions and a bit of swearing and its best not played in front of your kids ! We tackle some weighty topics in our usual irreverent way so if you are a delicate flower I'd stay in your compost. Tune in to hear Alex attempt to break the world record for the loudest ever typing at a keyboard during a podcast, a new and definitely true conspiracy theory about Santas reindeer. There's a couple of quality rants by yours truly after an interesting year of magazine mags and a swarm of Mediaeval Skirmish Games. We also introduce a new Space Marine Chapter. Its a long one but its got to last you all Xmas so take it slow. As always please, like, subscribe and comment to help the show grow, lots more coming in 2026 Until then, Sithee Regards Ken The Yarkshire Gamer

A change in Programming Schedule as the difficult birthing of the Wargames Time Machine episode continues. 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 11. On Ilkley Moor bar t'at (Band of the Coldstream Guards)2. Intro with Yarkshire Gamer3. Trix and Laurence (Partizan Organisers)4. Andy Johnson (Episode 64)5. Roger Castle 6. Chris Flowers (Episode 32)7. Martin Gane (Episode 53) Side 21. James Morris2. Big Lee and Ray (Episode 72)3. Simon Miller (Episode 22)4. Joe Bilton (Episode 58)5. Barry Hilton Side 31. Kevin Dallimore2. Tim Whitworth 3. Mark Backhouse4. Rich Clarke (Episode 50) and the Brews Boys5. Steve Shann (Episode 40)6. Pete Berry (Episode 44)7. Glen from Warbases Side 41. Paul Eaglestone - Empress Miniatures 2. Dave Thomas3. 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 The Yarkshire Gamer

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

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. 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

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. 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

Hello everyone and welcome once again to the Yarkshire Gamer Reet Big Wargames Podcast. Today for the 71st episode I have three guests, Steve Bomford who runs the Company of Makers (CoM) Organisation which helps Veterans adapt to civilian life post service. Nick Denning who is a former British Army Infantry Officer who is developing a near future Wargame with the assistance of CoM and Conrad Steele - Benny, a 30 plus year RAF Veteran who is heavily involved in the organisation of CoM events. Between us we discuss their individual careers and involvement in Wargaming before moving on to discuss the work that The Company of Makers does. At the end of the show we widen out the discussion to cover the link between Veterans and Wargaming, the benefits it can bring and how we, as individuals can help. It was an interesting and often thought provoking discussion which I hope you will enjoy. If you would like to know more about the Company of Makers their website is here Company of Makers – Podcasts | Talks | Workshops My next episode will be with The Posties Rejects, Ray and Big Lee when we will be having a chat around their channels and blogs as well as a review of the recent Salute Show in that there London. Until next time, Sithee Regards Ken The Yarkshire |Gamer

Hello all and welcome to Episode 69 of the Reet Big Wargames Podcast. My guest today is Arran Johnston, Arran works with the Scottish Battlefield Trust and the Battle of Prestonpans Museum increasing awareness of the History of conflicts in the Highlands, Lowlands and Isles. A specialist in the Jacobite Rising Arran has had a number of books published on that subject as well as Cromwells earlier campaigns in Scotland. On top of his day job he has also done some historical re-enactment, so as my grandma would say " He knows his eggs" Arran has a personal website covering his historical work here https://www.arranjohnston.co.uk/ The work he does with the Battle of Prestonpans Museum can be found here https://www.battleofprestonpans1745.org/ Recently Arran has begun to use Wargaming as a tool to tell the story of the Jacobite Rising and has chronicled the Campaigns in a series of "What If" videos on the museums YouTube Channel. The decisions made, by the Jacobites in the first run through and by the Government in the second have been made by members of the public which has been a really interesting experiment. You can tune into the campaign here www.youtube.com/@Prestonpans1745 I think all wargamers would love to be involved in such a well run campaign. My next guest will be Jared Fishman from the US Wargaming Podcast, 20 Sided Gamified Podcast. See you soon Regards Ken

Hello everyone and welcome to my first ever Wargamers phone in ! I'm joined on the show by 8 different guests for 8 very different conversations about different aspects of our wonderful hobby, in order of appearance we have. 1. Gary Wills - we talk about the War of the First Coalition or the Revolutionary Wars and his book Throwing Thunderbolts about the period https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/throwing-thunderbolts-a-wargamers-guide-to-the-war-of-the-first-coalition-1792-1797.php 2. Dex McHenry joins me to discuss the importance of using correct terminology when discussing wargames (like The Dark Ages) 3. Neil Armstrong bravely joins the show to talk about contrast paints ! 4. Simon Stokes talks about how Wargaming the Dark Ages can be fun. 5. Sam and James from Warfulcrum join me to discuss "1918" a set of WW1 rules covering the final year of the First World War, which they have in development. https://www.patreon.com/WarFulcrumGames1918 6. Then its time for Rhys Humphrey to talk about his Ashdown 871 Big Project 7. Then Harvey joins us from Vermont in the USA so he can blame a certain Yorkshire based Podcast on two huge projects he has become involved with. 8. My final guest is Chris Gosney who discusses filming Solo Wargaming for his YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@CrustyColonel18/videos Hope you enjoyed this new format, do please leave a like and review wherever you listen to this is really helps broaden the audience. If you fancy being a guest on the next phone in (if there is one) drop me an email to yarkshiregamer@gmail.com and I'll be in touch for the next phone in. I will be back on the 24th February to talk about Pavia on its 500th Anniversary. Until Next Time, Sithee Regards Ken The Yarkshire Gamer

Welcome back to the Yarkshire Gamer Podcast with our usual Xmas Special with the Brews in the Binyard Boys, Alex Sotheran from Storm of Steel and Iain McDonald from Flags of War. In what is now tradition I butcher a Xmas song at the start of the show so get ready for a version of Fairy Tale of New York which you have never heard before ! The show ended up being 4 hours long, but lets face it, you've got plenty of spare time over Xmas, stick some earbuds in and pretend to be asleep after a festive meal. We tackle weighty subjects like, what the f.... is Trench Crusade about, why historians can't make their minds up (again), Crisp Butties, the demise of Twitter, Warlord Games French Lancer horse legs and most importantly which is the best Fish and Chip Shop in Skipton. Whether you digest it in a oner or in several more digestible parts, I hope you enjoy it as much as we did recording it. I hope to be back in the new year with the regular mix of guests, until then have a great Xmas and a Happy New Year and may all your Pike Blocks be massive ! Until Next Time, Sithee Regards Ken The Yarkshire Gamer

Hi everyone, This was planned initially as a bit of a catch up episode with a number of guests but I wasn't able to get all the interviews done and I've been away myself so rather than have this lying around for weeks I've put my catch up with Paul out as an individual episode. Paul was my guest on Episode 43 and we chatted in depth on that occasion about Early War Miniatures and at the start of this show we chat for half an hour about what is going on at EWM and how they managed to cope with The Great Wargames Website Wobble of 24, something that affected many companies in the UK. We then move onto, what for me is one of the most fascinating stories I've ever covered on this show, the German raid on the coast of the Isle of Wight in 1943, an event which occurred just round the corner from where Paul lives and works. An amazing amount of work has gone on since we last spoke and Paul fills us in on the information that has come to light recently. The story isn't complete yet but its been a privilege to be party to the information as its come out and I look forward to hearing more. My next guest will be author Andy Johnson who has written a number of historical novels set in different eras, the WW2 and Wars of the Roses books have been on my reading pile recently. Andy has also done a bit of gaming as well as having a career in the military, so there will be plenty to chat about. Its important for me to keep the Podcast fresh and entertaining (for me as well) and with that in mind I've got a couple of different types of shows (in addition to the current, wargamer, brews in the binyard and historian styles) in the pipeline and I hope to announce those in the near future. So sit back and enjoy my chat with Paul and I'll see you again next time. Sithee Regards Ken The Yarkshire Gamer