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Colchester Games Fair takes over Colchester Arts Centre this Saturday for its ninth year, with independent tabletop gaming traders, players and collectors gathering for the free event.
This year’s traders include Melsonian Arts Council, Mammoth Miniatures, Iglootree, Diss Games, Cymbeline Games and Nuts About Miniatures, while the popular Bring & Buy will once again be part of the day.
For organiser Rob Saunders, the original idea behind the fair was straightforward.
“I started Colchester Games Fair as an excuse to get all the cool tabletop gaming people and sellers together in Colchester and to spread the good word on tabletop gaming,” he said.
“There are so many great independent publishers and makers around the UK, and I wanted to put on an event that showcased some of these amazing creators.”
Nine years on, that emphasis on finding things you might not come across elsewhere remains an important part of the fair.
“I think people keep coming back because there is always something new and I always try to put traders in that you wouldn’t really find anywhere locally, selling interesting and weird tabletop gaming paraphernalia.”
Rob’s method for deciding who makes the cut is pleasingly uncomplicated.
“My main choice when booking traders is if I like what they are selling. If I think it’s cool and would buy it myself, then they are considered for Colchester Games Fair.
“I also like to have a mix of different gaming genres: board games, miniatures, role-playing games and card games. I try and cover all the geeky bases.”
The Bring & Buy has become a sizeable part of the day too, giving people the chance to clear space on their shelves, although Rob admits selling old games can easily lead to buying replacements.
“People really love a bargain, and game collectors are always swapping and changing what they have on their shelves, so it’s a perfect excuse to sell some games and, more importantly, buy some new ones.”
He credits his partner Kat, along with volunteers Lewis and Charlotte, with turning the Bring & Buy into what he describes as a “well-oiled machine”.
While there will be plenty for established players and collectors to look through, Rob has always wanted the fair to work for people who know little about tabletop gaming too.
“It will always be a free-entry event, so you can just pop in and have a look and see if there is anything for you. The variety of games and stalls is important to show newcomers that there is so much more to gaming than you might think.”
That variety isn’t confined to the Games Fair itself. Rob points to Ace Comics’ trading card events, miniature wargaming at 4TK Gaming and the hundreds of board games and regular Dungeons & Dragons sessions at Dice & A Slice as part of a much wider local scene.
“There has always been an amazingly varied and diverse gaming scene in Colchester, with different venues and shops that cater for that,” he said.
“We are super lucky to have so much gaming going on in our city.”
As for what Rob himself will be looking out for on Saturday, one trader could prove particularly dangerous.
“I’m excited to see all of it, but I have a feeling Nuts About Miniatures, who sell old-school, out-of-print Warhammer and Games Workshop games, are going to make my wallet much lighter.”
Colchester Games Fair takes place at Colchester Arts Centre on Saturday 10th October from 10am to 4pm. Entry is free.
