Training weekend 2013

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password: t-Edd#0
(that's a zero on the end)

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OK, booking thread is up and emails are all working fine.

Super duper. I'm looking forward to it already!

So, this is Pete's provisional list:

Hide/shelter construction.
Movement/concealment.
RV's and laying up.
Basic map reading (bearings, pacing, map orientation).
Dead letter drops/caches.
Preparedness/personal admin.
Ambush/breaking contact.
CQB/jungle lane
Dusk/night scenario

Some further suggestions:
Effective communication (distance judgement/hand signals/radio etiquette)
Sleep systems (hammock/sleeping bags/ground sheets/tent types/liners etc)
Eating/drinking (necessities/comfort)
Squad command (give those who haven't had the opportunity to find out what they are capable of)
Weapon testing range (set up kit in more practical environment than plinking down the garden)

Looks good, though that's a lot to fit into a day!

If anyone's interested, I can also cover basic fitness and do a short calisthenics routine.

Can we unlock the forum area now??

Yes, a lot on the list! I'm not convinced map reading etc is of great practical value (unless we are making use of maps for the Hut 9 game?) - likewise fitness which to be useful is a subject in itself (and one would presume if they were interested they would be doing it anyway!)

Sunset is at around 17.45 on Saturday

I'd like to wait for Pete to post up an outline of the weekend content before we open the forum - I hate stupid questions and people presuming and jumping to wrong conclusions!
Other questions to be clarified:
1. Uniform requirements - presumably wear what they like as long as it is WW2 clobber
2. Tentage - shall we say period/canvas tentage preferred (to try and get newbies to give it a go prior to a game?)
3. What time will the game be open/locked (window when peeps can arrive)
4. I assume there are no toilet/water facilities at the site?
5. We could do with knowing which is the entrance to the site and where parking is - it isn't obvious from the aerial:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=203266963726424078106.0004d2cda64a2a09f2114&msa=0&ll=52.42431,-0.633654&spn=0.018659,0.058579&iwloc=0004d2cda9e0ca51f3418
6. Open fires allowed? I can bring my 'field kitchen' for chaps to use anyway.

1: I've said that any uniform is fine, including partisan kit.
2: Yep, let's try for period tentage, though TBH I think it would be great if people built their shelters or used bashas.

For the other questions, I'll find out.

1. Uniform requirements - presumably wear what they like as long as it is WW2 clobber
2. Tentage - shall we say period/canvas tentage preferred (to try and get newbies to give it a go prior to a game?)
3. What time will the game be open/locked (window when peeps can arrive)
4. I assume there are no toilet/water facilities at the site?
5. We could do with knowing which is the entrance to the site and where parking is - it isn't obvious from the aerial:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=203266963726424078106.0004d2cda64a2a09f2114&msa=0&ll=52.42431,-0.633654&spn=0.018659,0.058579&iwloc=0004d2cda9e0ca51f3418
6. Open fires allowed? I can bring my 'field kitchen' for chaps to use anyway.

Agreed. It's worth mentioning that it's a chance to try out new kit in a non gaming environment too. I'd say period tentage is preferred but, tarps, bashas and nylon tents are allowed.

1. Uniform requirements - presumably wear what they like as long as it is WW2 clobber
2. Tentage - shall we say period/canvas tentage preferred (to try and get newbies to give it a go prior to a game?)
3. What time will the game be open/locked (window when peeps can arrive)
4. I assume there are no toilet/water facilities at the site?
5. We could do with knowing which is the entrance to the site and where parking is - it isn't obvious from the aerial:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=203266963726424078106.0004d2cda64a2a09f2114&msa=0&ll=52.42431,-0.633654&spn=0.018659,0.058579&iwloc=0004d2cda9e0ca51f3418
6. Open fires allowed? I can bring my 'field kitchen' for chaps to use anyway.

Agreed. It's worth mentioning that it's a chance to try out new kit in a non gaming environment too.

YES! That's the one thing that holds up events all the bloody time, people sorting out their belt order, and faffing with new kit. I call it The Webby Effect.

Aye, this is mentioned in several places now...

Out of curiosity, what time are we allowed on site? It would be nice to have time to have a shufty about to designate the areas for training. The actual training, I can do blindfold but, it's all about selecting the right areas for it.

I've checked with Chris, waiting a reply.

I imagine anything after 9am would be fine. He just needs to open the gate and lock it night to stop the doggers!

I've told him Dave would like the gate kept open, but he insisted.

Martin (BedsnHerts) wants to come but his will be a last minute booking as he is working on a mammoth 7 day a week project at the moment and can't commit ahead. Charlie (Universal Gunner) also wants to come but will have to leave at 9pm Saturday.

I'm liking the dusk exercise idea (I think others do too). Could we do a dawn exercise too? I'd love to have a crack at that - sunrise is a very manageable 6.45am!

Edit: Oh wait, Martin is right - first light is earlier at 06.10. Still, a 6am start isn't too bad. Back at 9am for brekky!

I reckon a dusk exercise, then a gentle social around a fire (if we can have one) followed by a 6am start would be great.

Reply from Chris:

Hi Stephen.
We could open it at about 10:30 am.
No water or toilets (bring a little shovel)
No open fires.
http://www.close-action.co.uk/pages/direct.html

Perhaps if someone manages check ins whilst two others recce the site, that would work. TBH, we could always recce the site earlier on foot as the gate is easy to get past.

It seems the site entrance is here: http://goo.gl/maps/T6yix

Excellent. I'm happy to stop at the gate.

I've updated the Q & A's and will do so as questions get asked.

I'm delaying adding Josh's game to March as long as I can - I thought our post might spur him into action and he was quicker off the mark that I thought!

I can't see his sisk at Sennybridge having much impact on our event, hardly any of the gunman gang will come anyway. We don't have to stress about numbers for the training day as much he has to for Senny'!

Yes, that's true - there may be a few who have to make a choice though. £85! Still, no Americans

Bugger about no open fires though.

Oh,and my Google map was spot on then as that is the entrance I put my marker on.

We have tarps somewhere don't we - just in case of rain they might be handy.

I've got a couple of modern tarps, one of which is quite big (4m x 3m). Also, I know there's no open fires but, what about a proper, steel firepit?