Wednesday, 3 June 2026

ValleyCon: Recoil! pics - from Mike Stonyer, 4 June 2026

Michael Stonyer was at ValleyCon on Saturday for the first three rounds of the DBMM 200 competition and sent these great pics. I will put what information I can in the captions and you're most welcome to add more in comments. Any mistakes are mine and I am happy to be corrected 🙂
Link to Neil Williamson’s post of the results https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18qAXyxrfo/?mibextid=wwXIfr Also check out Neil’s other posts on this group 🛡️🎲⚔️

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/824840264342234/posts/3312997515526484

Phil Gates using Middle Frankish, Neil Williamson keeping everyone in order.

Paul Goldstone, Polybian Roman

One of Phil's Frankish generals

The hand of God

Cataphracts - nice!

The hall, DBMM were not the only rules being used.

The trophies

Paul Goldstone (Polybian Roman) vs Phio Gates (Middle Frankish)

More cataphracts - also nice

It's getting real!

Gary Lewis's Etruscan League

More of Gary Lewis's Etruscan League?

Gary Lewis (Etruscan League) vs Graham Starkey (Picts). Eventually, they were second and first, respectively.

More of Gary Lewis's Etruscan League?

Gary Lewis's Etruscan League cavalry?

Chris Blacker (Late Imperial Roman) vs Paul Graham (Kappadokians) - Paul used five different armies from Asia Minor in an order he nominated before the competition draw was done.




Monday, 1 June 2026

ValleyCon: Missed because of surgery - posted by Mim Cholewa, 25 May 2026

Hey bro’s. Quick update. Vin’s surgery went well, anaesthesia has knocked him around a bit, he’ll be in Crest Hospital in PN overnight. If you receive a random sounding text from him he’s a bit dopey😵‍💫❤️

he was really sorry to miss you all over the weekend. Mim

https://www.facebook.com/groups/824840264342234/posts/3308671809292388 

Andrew Crampton
Pass on our best to him.
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Vincent Cholewa
For those not aware I withdrew from ValleyCon when on Thursday last week there was a surgery cancellation and my hernia operation came to the top of the list. This evening I am walking (more shuffling) around my room, which is encouraged. Back home tomorrow.
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Cernell Blimp
Vincent Cholewa good idea..never put off treatment..act quickly..
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Lorricount Du Ho
speedy recovery
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John Edmundson
Take care Vincent and have a speedy recovery.
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Alastair Duncan
Didnt Napoleon also have a bad spell at Waterloo?
Has Simeon Brown sent him.a bill yet,
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Cernell Blimp
Napoleon had a flare up of his piles. Barron Larrey applied leeches while Ney lost the battle..
Russell Briant
Good to have everything back in its rightful place Vin.
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Rob Shirley
Heal well fella.
Dave Madigan
Wishing you a full and speedy recovery.
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Julian Hannam
Oh golly hope the drugs have him dreaming of mighty victories!
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Vincent Cholewa
Julian Hannam General anaesthesia is funny. It’s just off them on. Not like sleep. I went from watching the equipment in the operating theatre to Dire Straits and Fleetwood Mac on The Sound FM in the recovery ward with nothing in between.
Dirk Heinsius
Vince, you know that "sick leave = painting time" 😃
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Vincent Cholewa
Dirk Heinsius the bugger of it is sitting and bending at a painting angle are going to be difficult for a while. However, leave it all set up and work on short bursts - those last elements of Lithuanian light horse are calling my name!
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Cernell Blimp
Vincent Cholewa we need another lockdown...
Richard Foster
Hi Mim,
Dopey texts are not unusual
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Vincent Cholewa
Richard Foster I was given tramadol just for the drive home yesterday morning. We stopped at the pharmacy for my prescription, paracetamol and codeine, then I couldn’t find the car in the carpark! I wasn’t driving.
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Richard Foster
Vincent Cholewadid they leave without you😃
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Geoff Pearson
Wish you a speedy recovery Vincent
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Vincent Cholewa
Geoff Pearson thank you so much 🙏