For those of you of a certain age, you may remember the teen classic “Absolute Beginners”. The central character scooted around 50s London, avoiding racist Teddy Boys and delivering pornography ‘discreetly” to advertising executives. The parallels with the blog are all to obvious of course. Whilst I continue to paint endless numbers of Indians ready for Reading, I have decided to look a little more closely at that oft discussed issue of how to get more people started in the hobby.

My thoughts turned to 40K . Those in the know will no doubt be aware that Bell of Lost Souls have been in the thick of a non-debate on feminist 40k. Games Workshop , have of course apologised for the oversight of populating their battlefields with males! Male elves, Tau and Goblins but males! The fiends at Warhammer aren’t aware that lesbians too were only itching to sit down and paint if only they too had been included in the background. Honestly, as if you can play a game in which you do not feel represented! All those players of World War Two SS armies should be very ashamed.

Whilst Jeremy Corbyn doesn’t want ISIS returnees apprehended, he can’t understand why domestic abuse and anti-Jewish racism have skyrocketed.  The “wimin’s” movement has male dominated warfare in its sights.  Going to war must be very like holding a demo in the gender neutral toilets at University. Whilst  it’s fantastical science fiction, patriarchy must be fought and female space orcs are a dire omission . I will of course, address this oversight with my plan for my 40K Imperial Commisars😊

Where Games Workshop does get things very right of course is their provision for the young entrants. Over the last eighteen months the representatives have been nothing but helpful. The latest primers for Age of Sigmar and 40k are a masterclass in slick presentation and allow a very easy introduction to their “product”. Our challenge is of course to produce something as impressive for historical gaming. What will follow over the next few months will be our attempt to provide such a entry point. Please comment and send your thoughts in. Damion at Donnington Miniatures is on board with the project and so eye-candy will not be a problem. We have no plans at present to publish but they will be free to download.

With your help , historical wargaming can be brought to a whole new audience! All periods catered for, skirmish and big battle. What could possibly go wrong?

Thanks for reading! First draft out this week!