I'm sure an "urban" site will reveal itself at some point. I would love to get onto Nesscliffe training area for an event (I suppose it gives something to aspire to!).
Well, at least now, we can concentrate fully on promoting Jedburgh and get down to planning Devils Hill. Plenty to do!
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
Maybe not so pie in the sky - I flagged this lot up ages ago who ran events at Swynnerton, Nesscliff and Leek Hulme.
http://www.op-tactical-uk-events.co.uk/
This web site doesn't seem to go anywhere but they are still going with sites at Uttoxeter and Sheffield. They appear to have a 727 flight deck somewhere (although we would be hard pressed to work a WW2 game around that 
)
Maybe not so pie in the sky - I flagged this lot up ages ago who ran events at Swynnerton, Nesscliff and Leek Hulme.
http://www.op-tactical-uk-events.co.uk/This web site doesn't seem to go anywhere but they are still going with sites at Uttoxeter and Sheffield. They appear to have a 727 flight deck somewhere (although we would be hard pressed to work a WW2 game around that
Funnily enough, I mentioned Op-tactical to Steve today. Forum member Ewart is/was involved with them I believe. They don't seem to have used Swynnerton or Nesscliffe for a bit though. The good thing about Nesscliffe (apart from it being a vast and varied area), is that only the cadets and TA use it. No regular army build up stuff goes on there afaik. Definitely worth a look I think.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
Yes, I remember Ewart enthusing about them a while back when I bumped into him at a show.
Even if Op-tactical aren't currently doing their own stuff there I guess they still have to contacts/permissions to facilitate??
Even if Op-tactical aren't currently doing their own stuff there I guess they still have to contacts/permissions to facilitate??
That's what I'm hoping for. You're better with words than I am Dave, would it be possible for you to make contact? I'm more than happy to do the legwork with site visits, etc, if we could get Nesscliffe.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
Message sent to 'em!
Count me in for a Nesscliffe recce. Don't need much of an excuse for a trip to Shropshire...
Pics of SOA FWIW:
Don't need much of an excuse for a trip to Shropshire...
That is quite probably the first time those words have ever been uttered!
Heh, the site looks fine but those buildings need to be used. Its even got tank sheds I notice!
Shropshire's a fine county!
Tank sheds?! Not even big enough for Oddball's tank.
I think the last time I was in Nesscliffe I was about 18 years old 
When we were a Kingdom it was run by a King
When we were an Empire it was run by an Empress
Now we're a country we're run by a..........
It's been a while since I've been there too. I reckon a weekender would be the only way to go with an area like that. It's a piece of piss to get to and could swallow 50 players, no problem. I'm thinking early Barbarossa or Operation Cobra, with successive lines of defence to be broken, with lots of ground to cover in between, giving chances for counter attacks as well.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
Well, this might well be a goer:
Hi Fella,
Yes i do still have access to the estate...I would be very happy to help... We would need to meet up and chat more about this...
I have seen your advert before and always wanted to attend an event...
Thanks for the he-mail...
Cheers rob b.
That's f***ing fantastic!
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
OK, looks like this may be moving forward.
Rob at Op-Tac is asking for a meeting which I said we'd like to combine with a recce.
He has also offered us the Tean woodland site (it is a paintball site but like Reddich I guess the paintballers only use a bit of - might be worth a look) and also Swynnerton. 
Operational Name: Staffordshire Woodland Ops (120 ACRES)
Hollington Road
Tean
Uttoxeter
Staffordshire
ST10 4JTGoogle Maps Ref:
Directions:
To Access the site from Hollington Road continue away from the village for approx 2/3Mile the entrance is at the top of the hill on the left hand side (its not easy to spot and curves back on itself)History:
Formally a Home Guard Training Area, During WW11, The site offers a mixture of rhododendron, Heather, Oak, Silver Birch Tree’s, Providing Full all year round coverage.Description:
The site comprises of the following, 120 Acres Woodland Site with good amenities, Male and female toilets, Seating for 150 Operators, Parking, Full On-site Shop, Small Arms 25Foot Range, Tina’s On –site catering. 7 Large purpose built arenas, Village, Jungle, Bridge, Bunkers, Valley//Castle, Speedball, Vietnam Trail that link the area’s together for large games, There is also 70acres Woodland with Tracks and Bunkers that until 23rd January 2010 has not been seen or used before.
Excellent news. Personally, I'd much rather use Nesscliffe and Swynnerton than some woodland paintball site.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
Well, the offer is there, might be useful next year. Don't forget, Nesscliffe or Swynnerton might be beyond our pockets...
Don't get me wrong, it's a kind offer . As for Nesscliffe and Swynnerton, Op-tac' have had games with less than 50 people, using those areas.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
Ah, that is useful to know.
OT - I'm not sure if I am getting the right impression but has the era of 100's of airsofers attending sites now gone? With my own eyes I have seen the pitiful numbers of players at F&O/CA/Phoenix etc. Games used to be packed! Is it because there is no central hub of information now (and a thousand separate forums) and no one knows what is going on elsewhere. Or the recession. Boredom? Bad marketing?
All of the above, plus bad games is a big factor too. Punters ain't that stupid (except for stirling blatfests 
) and can see if their hard earned cash has just been pocketed by the organisers. It's also harder to get a weapon now for new players and the 3 year "turnover" with your average airsofter leads to a depleted player pool.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!