Doncaster con 2022

[Capn Duff]

This thread will be for members who intend to attend the uk Doncaster convention this year 2022.
If you are a member of the Wings forum please post your preference on the companion thread on that forum.
If you are not on the Wings forum make your choice and place here as I will collate.

Doncaster 2022 badge
Good day to all,
I wish to get a start on this year’s commemorative item.

We have a possible choice which we would like to offer.

Choice 1. A pin badge as we currently have, it will be light blue same design as usual with Doncaster 2022 inscribed.

With this choice we would need to know numbers by mid April. We will then get the price and publish but then payment be made by the end of May. If you order a badge then , sorry , but you will be expected to pay for it, without exception.
Reason being the badges are paid for in advance upon ordering so we have to recoup the monies. These days spares cannot be ordered so if you commit to a badge you pay for it. Badges will then be given at this years Doncaster meet.

Choice 2 This year we may be able to offer a custom t-shirt or polo shirt, a blue in colour, to be determined. The intention will be to have an embroidered motif, possibly our wings motif with Doncaster 2022 underneath.

Choice 3 Nothing, nada, nowt, sod all

So we need a consensus as to which choice those attending Doncaster this year would like to have.
If we get a choice for option 2 we will then explore the viability of the shirts.

For the choice please look and let us know by the end of March

I will colate the numbers and choice.

Over to you guys

[Capn Duff]

Reserved for numbers

[David Manley]

Is Option B the same as Option 2? :happy:

Either way, I'd opt for 2. Or B.

[Capn Duff]

Have amended the sentence Dave, option 2 it is

[Bligh]

Can I sign on here Chris or do I have to go to the Drome?
Rob.

[Capn Duff]

Either Rob, I will transfer from here to the wings and wheedle out any duplicates

[Bligh]

Thanks Chris.
In that case it would be choice one for me, and one for Mrs Bligh.
Rob.

[Bligh]

Just one week to go to this annual get together.
Rob.

[Bligh]

The battle of Ragusa/DUBROVNIK.



The objective was that the British squadron of Frigates under command of Commodore William Hoste should clear the coast of French warships prior to investing the city of Ragusa and landing guns to command the heights overlooking the city.

[Bligh]

Here we see the British protagonists making their grand strategy.

[Bligh]

Meanwhile the French are plotting elsewhere.

[Bligh]

The opening shots are fired.

[Bligh]

Very quickly ships begin to collide, but the fire continues and ships are raked with severe consequences.

[Bligh]

The British Commadore is dumbfounded by the rapid loss of one of his squadron so soon into the action.

[Bligh]

Soon all the ships are engaged in a do or die contest.

[Bligh]

The Dutch commanders are very pleased with the action thus far whilst Dave Manley my co DM waits to bring the fortifications batteries into action.

[Bligh]

Dave measures the range of his guns whilst the French wait expectantly.

[Bligh]

The guns score a hit on the British Frigate and the French also declare that two of their ships are also firing.

[Bligh]

Prosapine also closes and takes a British Frigate.

[Bligh]

The French are now three to two.

[Bligh]

Undaunted the British still battle on.

[Bligh]

When the next British Frigate surrenders Hoste is forced to retire with his own ship and a victory is proclaimed for the French.

[Bligh]

The Butcher's bill.

British.

[Bligh]

Butcher's bill.

The French.

[Bligh]

GAME TWO. AROUND THE RAGGED ROCKS.

The French have to deliver two unarmed Merchants containing reinforcing troops and munitions to Ragusa.
As they skirt the rocky coastline which is too shallow for the heavy laden merchants to traverse, they are spotted by the British blocade. Will they be able to deliver their reinforcements intact?

The costal hazards.

[Bligh]

Both sets of protagonists deploy.

The two French Frigates on the left split up, whilst the British head for the only channel through which the Merchants may pass.

[Bligh]

The merchants to the rear shy away whilst the leading Frigate takes up a defensive stance as the two Brits try to weather the rocky island at the end of the chain. Meanwhile the second French Frigate slips through the shoals to the rear of the British.

[Bligh]

The leading British Frigate gets in the first Broadside, but disaster strikes as it promoptly runs aground.

[Bligh]

This was the only senior moment of the day.

[Bligh]

Having destroyed one British ship, the second runs aboard the French Frigate and boards her.

[Bligh]

This has no effect on the outcome of the game as the French slip an undamaged Troopship past the British and thus take the second game with ease.

[Bligh]

BUTCHER'S BILL

French.

[Bligh]

BRITISH.

[Bligh]

Finally a couple of shots from Chris's game taken before my camera battery ran out.
These show my ship dealing out a broadside to the French. A battle which I subsequently lost, and a further poorly aimed forrard battery in action. The British did manage to win this one.

Rob.

[Vagabond]

It looks like you had a great time, thanks for posting this so we can all see how the event went.
The scenery for the first game looks superb.

[Bligh]

Thank you very much for your comments John. Only sorry that you could not be there to take part.
Maybe next year!

Rob.