To my knowledge the only firing of airsoft at W&P would have been in last years airsoft arena.
Its not really a show to go and fire things though chap.
The only people firing *anything* should be those on a scheduled battle re-enacmtent in the designated area. Obviously its simply not safe to fire airsoft weapons in a publically viewed show (unless you coudl ensure *every* viewer wore eye protection or erected a 10ft high perspex screen around the arena.)
You should only be taking airsoft gun on site their if they are without batteries and BBs and then only as props to a loadout. Anything else is just wilfully endangering others and putting airsoft at risk.
Personally, as a trader on the AI stand, I didnt see too many folk carrying weapons around other than those in groups doing a bit of buying
edit:
As to your second query... All of the PBI organisers and most of the CiA ones live towards the midlands. Logistically its a nightmare to run games very far away as you cant easily do a site recce, play it a few times, visit to set up props etc. A site has to be unique or exceptional for us to run a game in say Scotland.
The trick is, if there's nothing in your area then run one. See if you can get your 'non specific' gaming site to let you have a Sunday or Saturday on the FIFTH weekend of the month. This occurs every three months or so and generally sites dont have anything booked for these days as its irregular.
You only need 10 a side for a reasonable game. There is a guide on here on how to set up your own game shoudl you want to look at it and take advantage of the lessons we learnt along the way.
Other players have done this like Steiner, Webby, Neilblume, Bednherts, Wladek, Spiers etc etc... the game they wanted didnt exist or was not in their area so they made it happen with a few mates.
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
At W&P airsoft guns as part of an organised display is fine (in the living history village) but what you can't do it walk around the public areas (bars, stalls etc) with them as an accessory to your 'loadout'. Meh, you should have anything that looks like a gun in a public place anyway.
There is the potential for kids to use the airsoft guns bought for them at the show (I heard some firing at each other in the woods) so this is covered by the rule whereas if you are paying a quid to fire an airsoft gun on one of the ranges in the stall area 'designated area' then clearly that is OK.
When I first got into CiA I was also a bit miffed that all the games seemed to be a long way away, however like most good things it's always worth the effort. Even if you don't drive there are regular players in your area that might be up for a car share.
At W&P airsoft guns as part of an organised display is fine (in the living history village) but what you can't do it walk around the public areas (bars, stalls etc) with them as an accessory to your 'loadout'. Meh, you should have anything that looks like a gun in a public place anyway.
There is the potential for kids to use the airsoft guns bought for them at the show (I heard some firing at each other in the woods) so this is covered by the rule whereas if you are paying a quid to fire an airsoft gun on one of the ranges in the stall area 'designated area' then clearly that is OK.
However Dave I did see a fair few guys from some *very* well known sites, walking about in full kit with wepaons.
Here i'll say that Andy 'cracking day' from UCAP was doing it as part of a sanctioned fund raiser but others appeared to be on a bit of a jolley.
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
Always the way! A few of the 'Swat'/'Future Warrior' types and kids with airborne gear and Thompsons strutting about! Its a bit like the 'no germans' (or is it no SS - I can't find the entry rules now) that has always been in the rules. Meh, I was walking about with no probs BUT had I been a tit in a brown jacket with tache and party salute I dare say the rules would have been put into effect swiftly. (Heh, yes I know there WAS a Hitler there 
). Kids messing with airsoft guns would have been dealt with as was the nutter who attempted to walk about with an unsheathed martial arts type sword, who was promptly arrested. 
I thought it looked toss myself. Every other person was some dude in desert camo or acu with all their weekend warrior kit on wandering around on patrol for....what, kids with pink and blue shotguns? 
lol
A new level of cheeeeese has been reached 
It would be nice to see more sites promoting airsoft and their sites rather than themsleves but hey!
I loved the weekend so ill shut up now 
Heer Schmidt
You should all be grateful you weren't accosted by NAG, mind you're all male so they wouldn't have been interested. Still bemused if they know or not that they are the "NAGS" 
Anyways back to airsoft weapons at Beltring, personal opinion and compared to last year was that less pubic were walking around with them. Last year every other passer by the display we had, had an "unofficial" purchase of an "unofficially" bought airsoft weapon 
this year I don't recall seeing anywhere near as many.
I just saw loads of kids and stall holders with two-tone springers, gas and AEGs that they had bought from the airsoft retailers there plinking them off walls and metal barriers/fences even though there was public around and right next to the things they were aiming at. Stupid ignorant f*cks. These are the people who give us a bad name (and make innocent punters loose eyes).
A Proud Member Of 'Team Spleen!' who play mainly at Gunman Airsoft, Tuddenham, Suffolk.
ah but last year the gun to buy was the MP40, so things have changed if they're getting twotone guns now instead....
Ah yes, those £15 MP40's with the red dots sights!
Erm no, they were £10 last year for a springer MP40 no red sight all black.... not that I know of course, but I know someone who does and who bought one at Belters last year and its now part of his Clone trooper costume .......(minus any projectiles it maybes added)
But well worth paying the extra fiver for the red dot if you are a serious WW2 enthusiast though...
Oh i recall that type, the only mp40 with an integral RIS rail IIRC )
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
There was one hanging off a display at Crich. The Bangles re-enactors.
But well worth paying the extra fiver for the red dot if you are a serious WW2 enthusiast though...
Nah he's got a wooden pop gun for that ......
