Thursday, April 11, 2013

Blog Wars 5 is Saved!! New Venue and Even Bigger Prizes!!

Right folks, we've been pretty lucky and the North West Gaming Centre (NWGC) in Stockport has been able to accommodate us on the original date of June 22nd. They've got plenty of space for us, an onsite bar and cafe and since there'd be around 40 of us we'd get our own barmaid! Unfortunately we can't keep her but that's probably for the best. I have to say I've never been to the venue and plan to make a visit before Blog Wars to check it out but it sounds pretty good I reckon.

The venue postcode is SK2 6PT. It's about 1hr 30mins away from Maelstrom/Maunsfeld. Now I can understand it's a bit more of a trek for people, especially those who are local to Mansfield/Nottingham but actually probably not a lot farther for those who aren't local. For those of you coming from down South the train would probably be an option too.

The venue is within walking distance from Stockport station and the journey from London would be a couple of hours (Euston to Stockport is 2 hours according to National Rail). As it stands at the moment that journey would be £25 return which isn't too awful. For reference it's £6 return from Sheffield and £10 from Nottingham assuming you book now. Frankly I'm considering the train myself. The venue has on-site free parking I believe so those of you driving should have no issues either.

So what about these bigger prizes you talk of?
Maelstrom/Maunsfeld were charging me £8 per person for the food they provided. This obviously meant £7 for the prize fund. NWGC only charge me for £5.50/person for lunch and venue hire and therefore £9.50 will go into the prize fund. I spoke to the venue about the prizes and the possibility of store credit as we've done at previous events. The onsite store only has minimal stock so they've suggested that prizes can be ordered and delivered free of charge. They also offer 25% discount for tournament players which is 10% better than Maelstrom/Maunsfeld did when they still offered GW. That means the tournament prizes are more valuable with the top prize of £25 effectively being worth £33!

Once the venue hire, food and tournament prizes have been taken from the pot that still leaves £300 for the spot prizes and raffle prizes. Given that I buy them at my local FLGS with 20% off that's effectively £375 for the extra prizes!!

Conclusion
The main thing is that Blog Wars lives on. I think we've been pretty lucky to secure another venue soo easily. I hope you can all still make it to the new place. NWGC sounds pretty good but as I say I intend to make a trip across to check it out at some point to make sure it'll be suitable. I don't really have any concerns that it won't be but it's an excuse for a hobby road trip!

I've provisionally booked Blog Wars 6 there too for the slightly adjusted date of November 2nd so stick it in your diaries.

I'd still like to hear everyone's thoughts on the new venue. I apologise to those, particularly our German visitor, who'd made plans on it being in Mansfield. Incidentally, there's a Premier Inn across the road from the venue if you are able to change your hotel bookings without incurring a penalty.

New venue, bigger prizes, same Blog Wars atmosphere - GAME ON!

23 comments:

  1. glad to hear it and i cannot wait!

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  2. Thanks for the support guys.

    I've updated the Blog Wars 5 page to reflect the changes. I'll be announcing details of the spot prizes and planned raffle prizes soon.

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  3. sorry man, no way on earth i can make that location as Mansfield was pushing it already from London. going to have to drop out :(

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    1. It's only a couple of hours on the train from London mate. Are you sure you can't make it?

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    2. In fact its quicker than London-sheffield from several stations, unless of course you were coming by car originally atreides?

      Well done on the venue Alex. Good man.

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    3. I am coming in the car from rural Shropshire and going back to London the same day. It really isn't possible I'm sorry :(

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    4. Sorry to hear that mate. I'll sort you out a refund.

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    5. Thanks man, really gutted!

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  4. Hi Alex

    Massive thanks for getting this sorted mate. I'll have to have a think. The problem getting to it from London isn't just the train from Euston - its getting to Euston as well (most people don''t live anywhere near the central train stations like Euston and kx, plus on weekends the overland trains going into and out of london are far less frequent). overall its over a 3 hour there and a 3 hour + journey back

    Do you know whether or not the venue allows for us to casually game there on the Sunday - thus making it a 2 day trip?

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    1. I'm pretty sure they'll allow casual games on the Sunday but I can check for you if you like?

      Have to admit that being a Northerner I'm pretty ignorant about where stations are in London! Only reason I mentioned it was that the venue said they have a few people who come to tournaments there because they find it easier to get to than other places.

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  5. Glad there's a new venue, but I'll second Atreides comments that its a bit of a push to get there in a motor from London or anywhere in the south. Despite only being a little further north, it adds almost an hour to the journey.
    I'll be getting a 6:30am train that only gets me into Stockport at 9:30, so will be pushing it to arrive in time for the first game, but that was the earliest train that day. On the plus side, its easier to get to this venue by train than the last one.

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    1. I'm truly sorry about the extra hassle that it's going to cause people. The issue is that there's a mix of people from various places in the country coming so a Southern venue would probably be just as bad for others.

      Mansfield was a more central location and a venue we all loved (I think?) but that situation is far out of my control.

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    2. Sorry Alex, reading back over my comment I realise it comes out critical in a way it was never meant to be. I applaud you for finding a new venue so quickly and I'm even more pleased that it is close to a train station as it means that I don't have to deal with the hassle of hiring a car for the weekend to attend. All round I'm pretty happy with the change, and look forward to being able to also have a couple of cheeky beers while playing.

      I only mentioned the times to show that it is entirely possible to get there in the morning (if at a push) from some locations by train, and I looked and its an hour less from Euston for those Londoners, but also to warn that I would be likely to run just a little late for the first game. For driving, its just the vagaries of geography which make it so much longer to get to.

      If anyone else finds themselves getting into Stockport around the same time and fancies sharing a taxi to the venue I'd be equally happy.

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    3. Sorry Andy my comment wasn't meant to sound like I was pissed off. I'm frustrated that the venue closed so that some of the regulars will now struggle to get there or not come at all.

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  6. Well done Alex, time to get used to the demise of Maelstrom, strike out and see new venues!

    Looking forward to it.

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  7. Huzzah!

    Guess us lucky folk in Nottingham will have to start getting use to this "travel" others speak of.

    Good job all round mate.

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  8. Funnily enough, I am currently about 5 miles from Stockport (I've just flown back into Manchester airport from a week away for work) and can confirm that Stockport to Nottingham is 97 miles and just under two hours to drive.

    Do any Notts lads want to car-share?

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    1. Yeah that would be good idea Graham, their doesn't seem much point for us to all drive indivdually. I know that Andy is going as well and it might be worth talking to the other Graham as i think he wanted to go but wasn't quick enough. I think their might be some drop outs with the venue change.

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    2. There's certainly enough spare tickets if t'other Graham wants one. Get him to email me.

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  9. I'm happy to split taxi fares from Stockport station if anyone else is going to be taking the train up from London.

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  10. I live in shrewsbury so Stockport is about the same if not quicker to get to than Mansfield for me. Looking forward to bl5 and hope the change in venue does not affect people too badly. Nathaniel

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  11. Hey Alex, thank you for sorting out a new venue! Most of us from Leicester should still be able to come, just sorting out logistics and will let you know


    Luke

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