Lard Workshop 2023
This year's Lard Workshop will yet again feature some real stunners of games!
We have a total of 13 games covering virtually all the Too Fat Lardies stable plus an exciting preview of a game that is close to being published and currently garnering rave reviews at other Lardy days.
As with many Lard days, games organisers use the base rules to transport their games to different eras or genre, so we have Dux Brit set in medieval Nottingham featuring a well know local outlaw; What a Cowboy in both a 1920’s Cult/Cthulhu setting and John Savage, the rules author, leaping forward 100 years to an incident in the South American jungle with drug barons and local armed militia.
In addition, we have two games featuring armies from the forthcoming and much anticipated, Far East Handbook. Richard Clarke is presenting a late war scenario set in Burma with the Japanese very much on the defensive plus Joe Bilton, whose terrain won Best Game at Salute this year, laying on a monster 15’ x 6’ BIG CoC game set in the Solomons Jungle.
Show visitors are welcome to drop into the Old Chemistry Theatre to view these amazing games, but please do be aware that those taking part have paid to do so, and so if you are a show visitor please be mindful that these are essentially "demonstration" games rather than "participation" games,
We have a total of 13 games covering virtually all the Too Fat Lardies stable plus an exciting preview of a game that is close to being published and currently garnering rave reviews at other Lardy days.
As with many Lard days, games organisers use the base rules to transport their games to different eras or genre, so we have Dux Brit set in medieval Nottingham featuring a well know local outlaw; What a Cowboy in both a 1920’s Cult/Cthulhu setting and John Savage, the rules author, leaping forward 100 years to an incident in the South American jungle with drug barons and local armed militia.
In addition, we have two games featuring armies from the forthcoming and much anticipated, Far East Handbook. Richard Clarke is presenting a late war scenario set in Burma with the Japanese very much on the defensive plus Joe Bilton, whose terrain won Best Game at Salute this year, laying on a monster 15’ x 6’ BIG CoC game set in the Solomons Jungle.
Show visitors are welcome to drop into the Old Chemistry Theatre to view these amazing games, but please do be aware that those taking part have paid to do so, and so if you are a show visitor please be mindful that these are essentially "demonstration" games rather than "participation" games,
| Table | GM | Game | Scenario | Description | Scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richard Clarke | CoC | Burma 1945 | It is April 1945 and the 17th Indian Division with armored support are driving south from Mandalay across the central Burma plain to capture Rangoon. Can you hasten the reconquest of Burma? | 28mm |
| 2 | Joe Bilton | "Big" CoC | The Battle of Munda Point 1943 | The airfield at Munda Point, New Georgia, Solomons, was a Japanese airfield at the edge of heavily forested terrain. As part of their island-hopping campaign, the American forces needed to capture the airfield which would allow their own air force to operate from. This game takes place on a huge table - half of which is dense jungle, and the other half is the airfield. Take command of US Army forces battling to seize control of the strategic airfield or control the Japanese in their defence of the area, providing much needed air support. | 28mm |
| 3 | Chris Smith | CoC | 1940 Hazebrouck | The 8th Panzer Division are seeking to push the troops out of Hazebrouk in an attempt to further isolate the British and French Armies caught in the pocket around Dunkirk after the Halt Order has been given on the 24th May 1940. The Germans are a strong Panzer regiment contingent against the Ox and Bucks Infantry with possible support from their French allies. | 15mm |
| 4 | Jeremy Short | Rex (Dux) Britanniarim. | Sweet as Nectar -Robin Hood & the Sheriff of Lardingham | York is in crisis! Archbishop Roundwood has run out of mead and Good King John is planning an imminent whirlwind tour of the Northern Baronies. However, all is not lost as it is well known that the best mead is produced by the friars in Larddingham. It is here that the Archbishop despatches the erstwhile Sheriff to secure as many barrels as possible. Will Archbishop Roundwood's dinner party be a success? Or will that outlaw thug Robin of the Hood thwart the good Archbishops plans? | 28mm |
| 5 | Sidney Roundwood | When the Last Sword is Drawn | Blood on Fallen Snow | Something terrible has happened at the small mountain monastery of Ikoto. The monastery is under the protection of the House of Akiyama and is located halfway up the steep slopes of Mount Norikata. This game features a Japanese version of "...with Flashing Blades". Set in C17th Japan, the game is imbued with the themes of honour, status, blood-drenched swordplay, family obligations and vicious revenge. | 28mm |
| 6 | Colin Murray | Infamy, Infamy | Romans vs. Goths | The Goths have been raiding all over Thrace after their rebellion at Marcianople, but the Romans have them cornered. Can the Legions put an end to the chaos? Can the Goths escape with all the booty? | 1/300 |
| 7 | Charley Walker | Kiss Me Hardy | The Nelson Touch | More daring-do from the "Master and Commander" himself as the British, French and Spanish clash in the Mediterranean. | 1/300th |
| 8 | David Hunter | Midgard Heroic Battles | 28mm Middle-earth War of Dwarves and Orcs. | As Grumblin, Lord of Damâmkar-dûm, or Nárli, heir of Snoti Longbeard, lead your dwarves boldly forth against the foul orcs of Gûlâshbûrnzbûm. | 28mm |
| 9 | Ioan Davies-John | Packing Heat | "Stop the Press!" 1920's Pulp Action | New Lard City, 1925. Travelling reporter John Savage has caught the scoop of a lifetime... and one that might cut it short! He's caught the notorious gang boss, Nicky "the Skinner" Scorzo, on camera, and now the toughest gang in town are after the hefty price on his head. Fortunately, NLPD Chief Richard Clarke has caught wind of this bounty, and has made it his duty to keep the young reporter safe and get those photos to the DA...let's just hope he gets there on time! | 28mm |
| 10 | Ken Walsh | Sharp Practice | Morning Glory on the Combahee | To commemorate 160 years since the Combahee Ferry raid, this Sharp Practice scenario sees ACW action with Harriet Tubman guiding Union forces up the Combahee in gunboats, fully intent on mischief, deep into the heart of the Confederacy. | 28mm |
| 11 | Simon Walker | Sharp Practice | An incident in the Waterkloof Mountain, South Africa | The Cape Frontier Wars fought between the British, Boers and Xhosa tribes in the 1830-1870's are not as well-known as the Zulu War of 1879 but offer a wonderful mix of interesting scenarios, exotic troop types and very different styles of warfare, ideally suited for Sharp Practice. | 28mm |
| 12 | John Savage | What a Cowboy | Welcome to the Jungle! | In an exciting development we see "What a Cowboy!" transported from the American West of the 19th Century to the modern-day jungles of South America. Will you lead a small team of highly trained and well-equipped operators into the Mexican jungle to stop the spread of "Lard" and save western civilisation itself? Or will you fight as the San Nicholas cartel as they attempt to assist the FBI's most wanted, "Ricardo C" and "Little Nicki" in their daring escape with their ill-gotten gains? All the usual "What a Cowboy!" fun and chaos but now dialled up to 11 with assault rifles, RPGs and all the modern gizmos you'd expect! Frankly, what's not to like! | 28mm |
| 13 | Mike Wilkins | What a Cowboy Cthulu | Innslard 1928 | The sleepy fishing village of Lardsmouth sits on the US east coast, it's 1925 and prohibition is in force. Government Agents have been sent in to find a reported illegal Liquor operation. Enforcers from the neighbouring towns criminal liquor producers have also been sent in to put a stop to it. They all find more than they bargained for. | 28mm |
Here's as short review of the day in 2022 from the Storm of Steel YouTube Channel :
About the event....
A Note from Lardy Rich
I am very excited to announce and welcome you to LARD WORKSHOP which will take place in Nottingham at the very heart of the UK Wargames scene!
We have been invited by the British Historical Games Societies (BHGS) to join in with their annual flagship event, Britcon by bringing together our very own world of Lard to run in conjunction with their weekend if gaming. It’s a great opportunity for the Lard community to gather and show what we have to offer in term of fun wargaming.
We have our own separate gaming room, where we expect to have a wide selection of games from the Too Fat Lardies stable,
covering old favourites and new releases such as Strength and Honour and What a Cowboy.
Great Lard events are all about the people coming together to enjoy a day of fun gaming in a non-competitive (but we still want to win!) environment. Three key ingredients have, over the years, become something of a tradition that we want to continue here;
If you’d like to attend this event, either to play or to run a game, please contact Lard Island regular Don Avis who is acting as my deputy for this the event and, suitably, doing all the hard work. Deputy Don may be contacted at don.avis@ntlworld.com
As ever. I look forward to meeting Lardy regulars and new players joining us for the first time. Everyone is welcome; if you’ve never played a Lardy game before this is a great opportunity to play with the game designer or experienced players.
What better way to learn a set of rules? Why not join us for a great day of gaming? I can guarantee that the Lardy Community will extend a warm welcome to all.
Richard Clarke
Lard Island
We have been invited by the British Historical Games Societies (BHGS) to join in with their annual flagship event, Britcon by bringing together our very own world of Lard to run in conjunction with their weekend if gaming. It’s a great opportunity for the Lard community to gather and show what we have to offer in term of fun wargaming.
We have our own separate gaming room, where we expect to have a wide selection of games from the Too Fat Lardies stable,
covering old favourites and new releases such as Strength and Honour and What a Cowboy.
Great Lard events are all about the people coming together to enjoy a day of fun gaming in a non-competitive (but we still want to win!) environment. Three key ingredients have, over the years, become something of a tradition that we want to continue here;
- great games,
- great company
- and an opportunity to socialise with other gamers.
If you’d like to attend this event, either to play or to run a game, please contact Lard Island regular Don Avis who is acting as my deputy for this the event and, suitably, doing all the hard work. Deputy Don may be contacted at don.avis@ntlworld.com
As ever. I look forward to meeting Lardy regulars and new players joining us for the first time. Everyone is welcome; if you’ve never played a Lardy game before this is a great opportunity to play with the game designer or experienced players.
What better way to learn a set of rules? Why not join us for a great day of gaming? I can guarantee that the Lardy Community will extend a warm welcome to all.
Richard Clarke
Lard Island
The main day of organised Lardy gaming will be on Saturday 12th August with up to 24 games capable of hosting 80+ players!
We are fortunate to have the use of our own light and airy hall from Friday to Sunday inclusive, so anyone wishing to play friendly or pick-up games or indeed, set up and take down their LARD WORKSOP games can do so on either day!
The plan will be to play two games, one in the morning (approx. 9.30-12.30pm) and one in the afternoon (approx. 2-5pm) with a break in the middle of the day for lunch, discussion, shopping the traders and enjoying a beer at the subsidised student bar!
Everything for the games will be provided by the game host (figures, terrain, tactical advice etc.). There is no need to have any knowledge of the rules even if this is your first ever game. In fact this a great time to try new rules and periods (and now scales with 2mm Strength and Honour) that you have never played before.
If you want to bring your own lucky dice and tape measure you may!
We are fortunate to have the use of our own light and airy hall from Friday to Sunday inclusive, so anyone wishing to play friendly or pick-up games or indeed, set up and take down their LARD WORKSOP games can do so on either day!
The plan will be to play two games, one in the morning (approx. 9.30-12.30pm) and one in the afternoon (approx. 2-5pm) with a break in the middle of the day for lunch, discussion, shopping the traders and enjoying a beer at the subsidised student bar!
Everything for the games will be provided by the game host (figures, terrain, tactical advice etc.). There is no need to have any knowledge of the rules even if this is your first ever game. In fact this a great time to try new rules and periods (and now scales with 2mm Strength and Honour) that you have never played before.
If you want to bring your own lucky dice and tape measure you may!
Tickets for the event are on sale now via the BHGS website
This fee includes access to;
This fee includes access to;
- LARD WORKSHOP on the Saturday.
- a packed lunch on the Saturday (sandwich, drink crisps etc.) delivered to the hall.
- a £5 Trader Loot voucher which can be spent at one of the many traders who will be in attendance over the weekend at the Britcon trade show.
- a well-stocked student bar and the Britcon Trade show,
If you would like to volunteer to run a game or games at a future Lard Workshop please contact Don Avis with details on what you would like to run and when.
Variety is the spice of life!
A full list of games is produced about two weeks before the event when signed up players will able too indicate your preferred choice of games. We will do our best to ensure that everyone gets at least one of their choices, but if this is not possible – fear not – every game will be fantastic!
Variety is the spice of life!
A full list of games is produced about two weeks before the event when signed up players will able too indicate your preferred choice of games. We will do our best to ensure that everyone gets at least one of their choices, but if this is not possible – fear not – every game will be fantastic!
Contact Details
Once you have entered via the BHGS site (and booked accommodation with BHGS if required - this is offered as an "extra" along with your "Britcon" ticket for Lard Workshop), please direct all other questions to Don
Email – don.avis@ntlworld.com
Phone – 01707 874576 or 07789 722055
Once you have entered via the BHGS site (and booked accommodation with BHGS if required - this is offered as an "extra" along with your "Britcon" ticket for Lard Workshop), please direct all other questions to Don
Email – don.avis@ntlworld.com
Phone – 01707 874576 or 07789 722055