BHGS Events and Coronavirus: March 28th Update:
The UK-wide adoption of "social distancing" in response to the Coronavirus outbreak has already led to many wargames events being postponed, including some of those hosted (or co-hosted) by the BHGS. With all of the entries for Roll Call now refunded and with both the LGT and UKGE events resheduled we've been looking at how best to balance our desire to help you all get out and get gaming again as soon as possible against the challenges all of us currently face in terms of making any sort of forward committments while the current - and potentially lengthy - period of 'social distancing' is in effect across the UK.
It's a complex problem, but where we've ended up is with the following (hopefully) clear and simple plan;
The BHGS committment to you is to:
What does this mean for Britcon?
The UK-wide adoption of "social distancing" in response to the Coronavirus outbreak has already led to many wargames events being postponed, including some of those hosted (or co-hosted) by the BHGS. With all of the entries for Roll Call now refunded and with both the LGT and UKGE events resheduled we've been looking at how best to balance our desire to help you all get out and get gaming again as soon as possible against the challenges all of us currently face in terms of making any sort of forward committments while the current - and potentially lengthy - period of 'social distancing' is in effect across the UK.
It's a complex problem, but where we've ended up is with the following (hopefully) clear and simple plan;
The BHGS committment to you is to:
- offer as many gaming opportunities this year as we possibly can,
- hold open the posibility of running the events we organise for as long as is sensible…
- … but also commit to cancel them as early as possible should it become obvious at any stage that any of them are not going to be viable,
- continue to offer 100% refunds on any events we operate and then cancel,
- continue to offer 100% refunds on cancellations for any individual wishing to drop out for personal reasons, at any time prior to the event taking place.
What does this mean for Britcon?
- We're continuing to work on the assumption that Britcon will be able to go ahead on the weekend of 7th-9th August as planned.
- If the UK is still operating under "social isolation" at the end of June we will look to cancel the event and refund all bookings in full.
- If so, Britcon will not be rescheduled and the next edition will be held in 2021.
- As of today, the Uni is unable to confirm whether they'll be able to offer "student style" accommodation this year, however Booking.com and other sites are offering penalty-free cancellations on all forward bookings right now, so this is probably a better option anyway if you want to completely de-risk your total cost of attendance.
Britcon Competitor Information
The competition is organised and administered by the British Historical Games Society. Players may enter one of several periods and should indicate their preference when purchasing their ticket. Entry does not include accommodation - see venue information for more details on accommodation.
The cost for entry into the competitions is set out on the booking form below, and is per entrant. Some events are priced differently due to smaller table sizes required, or as "introductory offers" as part of the BHGS' efforts to encourage new players and periods to join in the Britcon experience. Juniors (Under 18) can gain half-price entry in all periods by entering the discount code BHGSUNDER18
The cost for entry into the competitions is set out on the booking form below, and is per entrant. Some events are priced differently due to smaller table sizes required, or as "introductory offers" as part of the BHGS' efforts to encourage new players and periods to join in the Britcon experience. Juniors (Under 18) can gain half-price entry in all periods by entering the discount code BHGSUNDER18
GENERAL ENTRY CONDITIONS
Admission to any BHGS tournament is at the sole discretion of the organisers and their decision on all matters is final. If any entrant breaches these rules, commits a criminal offence, causes disruption during the competition (including to public, traders or staff at the venue) or causes or threatens to cause damage to property at the venue the BHGS’s representative on the day will be entitled in his or her absolute discretion to require that player to leave the competition and the venue immediately, without any refund. In such cases we are likely also to refuse entry to future events
By entering the event you are consenting for The BHGS to contact you via emails (sent by us via the Eventbrite booking system) to help us fulfil your order for this specific event, and to share your name and contact details with your period umpire and list checker who act as the BHGS in helping to fulfil your order. After the event we will send you an email allowing you to "opt-in" or "opt-out" of our email list.
Admission to any BHGS tournament is at the sole discretion of the organisers and their decision on all matters is final. If any entrant breaches these rules, commits a criminal offence, causes disruption during the competition (including to public, traders or staff at the venue) or causes or threatens to cause damage to property at the venue the BHGS’s representative on the day will be entitled in his or her absolute discretion to require that player to leave the competition and the venue immediately, without any refund. In such cases we are likely also to refuse entry to future events
By entering the event you are consenting for The BHGS to contact you via emails (sent by us via the Eventbrite booking system) to help us fulfil your order for this specific event, and to share your name and contact details with your period umpire and list checker who act as the BHGS in helping to fulfil your order. After the event we will send you an email allowing you to "opt-in" or "opt-out" of our email list.
To book, select the ticket(s) you wish to purchase and then click the "Checkout" button at the bottom of this booking form to be taken to the payment page.
Please ensure the full name (not nickname) of each player is entered. Also ensure that the correct e-mail address for that player is included so we can contact you if there are any changes or updates for your specific period - or, heaven forbid, you send in an incorrect list.....
Those competitors willing to float between periods should contact the organisers here.
Prizes
We will be offering the traditional mix of trophies and period specific prizes provided by some of our traders.
JUNIOR COMPETITORS/CONCESSIONS
In order to encourage our junior players to become more involved in tournament play the BHGS has adopted a policy of 50% discounted entry for all 18 year olds and under who are taking part in an historical period. If under 16 years of age they must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Juniors (Under 18) can gain half-price entry in all periods by entering the discount code BHGSUNDER18 on the online booking form after selecting your period.
PERIOD CANCELLATION:
In the event that there are insufficient players to make your chosen period viable (normally fewer than 6 players), you will be offered the option to switch to another period or a full refund.
COMPETITION REGISTRATION:
The Britcon registration desk will be situated in the Organising BUnker at the back of the main Barnes Wallis room (where the traders are located) . Players arriving on Friday night should register for the competitions no later than 8pm on Friday evening. At registration you will be allocated your delegate number and badge, which you should wear at all times.
FIRST ROUND DRAW:
The first round draw at Britcon is usually done using a rolling start procedure for all periods. At 1800 hours on the Friday night the draw will be opened and all players who are ready to play at that point will be asked to put their names into the draw. These names will then be matched and once you are allocated an opponent and a table your game can commence. You must then proceed immediately to your table. Some events run shorter, lower points format games on Friday, so you may get to play several rounds if you so wish.
If you are not ready to play at 1800 hours do not put your name in the draw. Wait until you are ready and then add your name. You must start the first round game by 2100 hours at the absolute latest.
First round games must all be completed by11:30. This means that in some periods these games could in theory last up to 6 hours.
THE WARGAMERS BAR(S):
The Barnes Wallis Bar adjacent to the gaming area in the Barnes Wallis Room will be available from 1100 hours on Friday & Saturday. There will be no bar / alcohol service on Sunday, however teas and coffees will be available.
PLEASE NOTE: Bringing your own snacks/refreshments into the gaming areas is not permitted.
THE WARGAMERS FEEDING STATIONS
Breakfast
Breakfasts will be available either on a voucher based system (for those of you in some of the University accommodation) or cash basis in the venue. The breakfast offered is a "breakfast bap".
Lunch
In order to meet player demand the catering team have agreed to make food available for longer on a more wargamer friendly basis both in price and in content.
Dinner
We have made no specific arrangement for dinner, believing that players may want to sample the culinary and other delights available in Manchester.
Those competitors willing to float between periods should contact the organisers here.
Prizes
We will be offering the traditional mix of trophies and period specific prizes provided by some of our traders.
JUNIOR COMPETITORS/CONCESSIONS
In order to encourage our junior players to become more involved in tournament play the BHGS has adopted a policy of 50% discounted entry for all 18 year olds and under who are taking part in an historical period. If under 16 years of age they must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Juniors (Under 18) can gain half-price entry in all periods by entering the discount code BHGSUNDER18 on the online booking form after selecting your period.
PERIOD CANCELLATION:
In the event that there are insufficient players to make your chosen period viable (normally fewer than 6 players), you will be offered the option to switch to another period or a full refund.
COMPETITION REGISTRATION:
The Britcon registration desk will be situated in the Organising BUnker at the back of the main Barnes Wallis room (where the traders are located) . Players arriving on Friday night should register for the competitions no later than 8pm on Friday evening. At registration you will be allocated your delegate number and badge, which you should wear at all times.
FIRST ROUND DRAW:
The first round draw at Britcon is usually done using a rolling start procedure for all periods. At 1800 hours on the Friday night the draw will be opened and all players who are ready to play at that point will be asked to put their names into the draw. These names will then be matched and once you are allocated an opponent and a table your game can commence. You must then proceed immediately to your table. Some events run shorter, lower points format games on Friday, so you may get to play several rounds if you so wish.
If you are not ready to play at 1800 hours do not put your name in the draw. Wait until you are ready and then add your name. You must start the first round game by 2100 hours at the absolute latest.
First round games must all be completed by11:30. This means that in some periods these games could in theory last up to 6 hours.
THE WARGAMERS BAR(S):
The Barnes Wallis Bar adjacent to the gaming area in the Barnes Wallis Room will be available from 1100 hours on Friday & Saturday. There will be no bar / alcohol service on Sunday, however teas and coffees will be available.
PLEASE NOTE: Bringing your own snacks/refreshments into the gaming areas is not permitted.
THE WARGAMERS FEEDING STATIONS
Breakfast
Breakfasts will be available either on a voucher based system (for those of you in some of the University accommodation) or cash basis in the venue. The breakfast offered is a "breakfast bap".
Lunch
In order to meet player demand the catering team have agreed to make food available for longer on a more wargamer friendly basis both in price and in content.
Dinner
We have made no specific arrangement for dinner, believing that players may want to sample the culinary and other delights available in Manchester.
