FORFAR’S REID Hall was a fierce battleground at the weekend as ancient warriors, second world war troops and sci-fi creations knocked lumps out of each other.

The duelling factions were brought together by Angus Wargames Club for its 23rd Skelp exhibition of military in miniature.

Thousands of carefully crafted and painted figures, machinery, equipment and battlefields attracted hundreds of enthusiasts and newcomers to the showcase, setting new records.

Organiser Bob Mirrey said the 200-300 people who filed through the doors in the first four hours exceeded the whole day’s attendance at last year’s Skelp.

The painting competition secured a record-breaking entry of well over 100 submissions and this year even more space was set aside for traders, up six to 16 on Saturday.

“There are wargamers here who have come from places as far apart as Dingwall and Dumfries and they are all ages,” he said.

Mr Mirrey said traders had travelled hundreds of miles to be at the display, including one from Wales and the majority from south of the border.

The club called in its counterparts from across the country to share their skills and tempt people to take up the hobby through hands-on games.

RAF Leuchars’ War-games Association organised medieval jousting, Falkirk Wargames Club laid on a first world war flying challenge, while gamers from Greenock built a scenario around Star Wars and destroying the Death Star.

Demonstration games from clubs including Stonehaven’s Iron Brigade aimed to show the variety available, from a Napoleonic battle to the Normandy landings and the English Civil War.

The club will again make a donation to the Poppy Appeal from the show after adopting the cause during gamers’ 21st anniversary celebrations.

It was brought to a close with the presentation of prizes by Angus Provost Ruth Leslie Melville.

Results

Wargames unit, open—1 John Hill, East Kilbride (28mm Arthurians), 2 Barry Hilton, East Kilbride (Fallschirmjager 88mm Platoon); wargames unit, club: 1 Bob Mirrey, Forfar (Russian Napoleonic Jagers), 2 Bob Mirrey (Russian Napoleonic Dragoons).

Junior wargames unit—1 Linden Forster, Invergowrie (Elrond’s Company), 2 Daniel Gale, Forfar (Skeleton Warriors).

Wargames army—1       John Hill, East Kilbride (25mm Caesarean Romans), 2 Brian Phillips, Carnwath (Sassanid Persians).

Fantasy/Sci-Fi—1 Michael McGechie, Forfar (Tough), 2 Barry Hilton, East Kilbride (WW2 Vampires).

Single figure—1       Marjory Robertson, Invergowrie (Grey Knight Terminator), 2 Barry Hilton (1st Hussars Officer, 1809).

Modelling—1 Sid Ellerington, East Kilbride (river crossing), 2 Stewart Ramsey, Denny (S-Boat).

Junior modelling—1 Neil Maclean, Clydebank (Ogre Rhino-Rider), 2 Cameron Cochrane, Forfar (Mumak).

Armoured fighting vehicle: 1 Bob Mirrey (Russian Stalin 2 Tank), 2 Allan Webster, Letham (Toyota with M60).

Terrain—1 Peter Muir, Falkirk (Spanish Napoleonic village), 2 Mark Towell, Carmyllie (desert fort).

The Maritime Cup for the best entry on a naval or amphibious theme: League of Augsburg-Normandy 1944.

Demonstration wargame—1 Iron Brigade (Battle of Lugersdorf, 1814), 2 Phoenix (English Civil War), 3 Buchan Wargames Club (American War of Independence).

Public participation wargame—1 RAF Leuchars Wargames Association, with The Joust (Medieval Olympics), 2 Bathgate Wargames Club, with The Curse of Queen Neferdidit (Indiana Jones meets the Mummy), 3 League of Augsburg, with Disposable Heroes (Normandy 1944).